RUGBY LEAGUEโ€™S QUALITY STREET GANG 11 โ€“ ALAN GRICE (PT 3)

Part 3 โ€“HE REMEMBERS HIS SALFORD TEAMMATES AND COACHES

Of all the star players within the Salford side throughout the seventies, the first player Alan picks out, to pay tribute to, was another prop forward he played alongside in his early days, Terry Ogden.

โ€œTerry had been a regular in the first team, and had propped, along with Charlie Bott, at Wembley, but he had started to play in the reserves by the time I arrived.  He had always been a very clever ball handler, and had lost none of this skill, even then.  He was an extremely likeable and amiable guy, and helped me a lot with various aspects of playing in the loose.

โ€œHe showed me how much easier it was if you ran at the outside individual, in a group of three or four players, because you could rotate and spin round in the tackle to get the ball out to someone coming up on the outside.  Iโ€™d always run at the middle one, before he drew this to my notice.โ€

Fullback, Paul Charlton (RLQSG#8), impressed Alan not only with high level of skill and talent, but also with his incredible fitness level.

โ€œOn one occasion, he arrived having run all the way there to then take part in the session.  He would have run home, too, but he had taken a bit of a knock in the match before, so I ended up having to drive him home.โ€

Paul was a joiner by trade, and his fitness level, showed itself to Alan, even through that.

โ€œHe used to get me work on occasions, but when he did I always ended up having to explain to the bosses that there was no way I could work at the rate that Paul could produce things, because that was all down to his incredible fitness.  I think he could have stayed at Salford a bit longer than he did, and he would have continued to contribute so much to the team, had he done so.โ€

Both Paul, and prop Graham McKay, were Cumbrians by birth, but both apparently had different attitudes to their native county.

โ€œPaul absolutely loved Cumbria, and to a certain extent pined to be back there, whereas Graham really had no fondness for it at all.   It was the lure of his home county that was the catalyst in Paulโ€™s returning back there, so soon.โ€

There was no doubt in his mind just where the absolute strength within the team lay.

โ€œColin Dixon was incredible.  He could side-step off either foot, had great pace, and considerable strength – everything you would want in a rugby player.  He and Mike Coulman (RLQSG#1) were a tremendous pairing in the second row.  Mike, for his size, was incredibly fast and his size and speed together made him almost unstoppable at times.

โ€œWe were also fortunate to have two really good half-backs in Peter Banner (RLQSG#4) and Kenny Gill (RLQSG#10), and then later, Gill partnering with Stevie Nash, though that did not work quite as well as had been expected.  Steve was more like an extra forward, whereas Banner had been a better passer of the ball, and as one of the players who was used as first receiver, I knew first hand just how good he was.โ€

The one problem area throughout the period was that of hooker, and there was a succession of players brought in, in the hope of solving the problem.  Probably the most successful of these was Peter Walker, but even his tenure was brought to a premature conclusion by injury.

โ€œThe most important part of a hookerโ€™s role was getting the ball from the scrum, and Peter was first rate at this, with a strike rate of well over fifty percent.  Then out of the blue we lost him after he had a very bad leg break, caused by somebody stamping on it, as he put it across a scrum, whilst trying to rake the ball.  It was damaged so badly that it finished his career.

โ€œEllis Devlin was a great player, particularly in the loose.  He was a quick passer and fast runner, and now that raking the ball is no longer the vital part of the hooking role that it was back then, Ellis would have been absolutely outstanding in this day and age; the modern game would have really suited him.

โ€From that point on, there was a succession of players brought in but they seldom lasted more than a couple of seasons, and at one point even I was put there to fill the gap, which I was happy to do, and did quite well in winning possession for us in my first match.โ€

It was not only the quality of the players which was so instrumental in the success of the team, but also the quality of the coaches, and Alan was fortunate enough to have played under a number of them, including some former teammates, including Chris Hesketh and Colin Dixon.  From all of these, however, it was Cliff Evans, whom he picks out as being the real standout leader among them all.

โ€œCliff was a marvellous coach who understood rugby inside out.  He always instilled into the players the importance of supporting the player on the break.  He always expected it of both wingers in particular to be up with everyone of these.

โ€œHe would draw up the outline plan of a scripted move but would then leave it up to the players to take it on from there.  Kenny Gill would always add his ideas into it and would also come up with a few of his own because he was really good at spotting weaknesses in the oppositionโ€™s line, such as a defender limping back to get into position.

โ€œCliff was particularly good at accepting information from other people around him and that was crucial in his getting the team to gel well together.  On my promotion to the first team, he arranged for Charlie Bott to sit with me on the bench, in order for me to gain his insight and greater experience for my role in the team.

โ€œCharlie had been an international with Great Britain and was a mine of information as he had been packing down all his life.  I found everything he said extremely helpful, and it was like having my own mentor alongside me.

โ€œAs a consequence of that, he took me under his wing and tried to look after me.  He even tried to get the pair of us the additional bonuses which all the contracted players used to get, though without much success on that particular occasion.

โ€œHe emigrated to Australia in 1971, but in the six months prior to his going, he left his profession of metallurgist, and worked on the building of the brand new, North Stand.  Then in his final Salford game, against Halifax, in the last match of the 1970-71 season, he took the final conversion of the afternoon from in front of the posts, to score the only goal of his career, by kicking it over bar into the stand he had just spent six months working on.โ€

One player whom it could be easy to overlook is still remembered fondly by Alan.

โ€œTony Colloby had made his name in the mid-sixties, as a centre, with first Whitehaven and then Workington before moving to Blackpool.  When, our right winger, Bill Burgess, was side-lined with a shoulder injury Tony was drafted in to take over from him, which he did for a couple of seasons until Keith Fielding was signed.  Tony was a really talented player, who showed he could adapt to virtually any position in the backs, and he stayed with us for a further couple of seasons before going to Barrow.

โ€œHe was part of a backline that would more than match any other, either then or since.  Maurice Richards was such a talented winger and rugby player, who could make a try out of very little, while Keith Fielding (RLQSG#6) was the fastest in the game.

โ€œOn one occasion, I was questioned by an uncle of mine as to why I had passed up a try scoring opportunity by giving the ball to Keith to score.  He very quickly understood my reasoning when I pointed out to him that Keith had grounded the ball under the posts, whereas I would have had to struggle to have got over in the corner.

โ€œCentres, Chris Hesketh and David Watkins both had spells as our captain, with Chris going on to become captain of the international side.  As a centre, he was quite unconventional and consequently really difficult to defend against, while David was just a star, wherever he played though centre was possibly his best position also.โ€

RUGBY LEAGUEโ€™S QUALITY STREET GANG โ€“ KEN GILL (PT3)

Part 3 โ€“ HE REMEMBERS SOME OF HIS FORMER SALFORD TEAMMATES

Within that team full of stars there were a number for whom Ken had special regard for their exceptional talent and how also that affected his own levels of performance.ย  The first of these was his fellow half-back partner from his time in the โ€˜Aโ€™ team, Peter Banner (Rugby League Quality Street Gang #4)

โ€œI was very fortunate to have Peter Banner as my scrum half.ย  We had developed a really good understanding of each other in the โ€˜Aโ€™ team, and we took that directly into the first team.ย  The service he gave me from the base of the scrum, or from dummy half, was outstanding and that gave me so many opportunities to set up attacks.

โ€œStevie Nash, when he came, was much more of an individualist, almost like an additional forward, and I missed the on-field relationship I had always had with Peter.ย  Peter wasnโ€™t without pace himself, either; he used to follow me around and Iโ€™d drop the ball off to him and he would shoot off.

โ€œI was really disappointed, when he was transferred to Featherstone; all the more so, when I was moved to scrum-half for a few matches, with Chris Hesketh taking over at stand-off.ย  It was the only time in the whole of my career that I played scrum-half and I really did not enjoy it.

โ€œThe backs were the real strength of the team, mainly, but not entirely, due to their speed.ย  The likes of Keith Fielding (RLQSG #6) and Maurice Richards ensured that whenever they were put through the line, they would score.ย  With Keith it was just sheer out and out pace, but Maurice had other additional facets to his game.

โ€œI often used Keithโ€™s pace, off the ball, to put him over for tries by means of short, angled, grubber kicks behind the opposition, into his corner.ย  Nowadays, the short kicking game is quite prolific, but back then it was much more unusual.ย  I had developed mine from quite a young age, from having watched older players and the tricks they used to do

โ€œChris Hesketh in the centre was an incredible player.ย  Rather like me, his will to win was most intense, so he and I, after training, would go to the Greyhound for a drink and then we would sit down and plan how we were going to beat the following weekโ€™s opposition.ย  We would work out which moves would be most likely to be effective against them.

โ€œHe was no orthodox centre, which made him all the more difficult to defend against, and he was unbelievably strong, owing to the amount of time he spent on the weights.ย  He did more than anybody else, including the forwards whose job it was to provide this.

โ€œAs captain, not only of Salford but also the international side, his personality was ideal, because he was so likeable and also extremely articulate.โ€

โ€œPaul Charlton (RLQSG #9) at the back, was tremendous.ย  His acceleration was incredible, and he could keep that pace up for the length of the field.ย ย  He was a really great player, and an equally great fellow to have around the club.ย  The only drawback to him was being able to understand him, because his Cumbrian accent was difficult to follow.โ€

Paulโ€™s return to Cumbria saw the signing of another international half back, John Butler (RLQSG #2), who took over, not at stand-off but in the centre, which then allowed David Watkins to move to fullback, to replace Charlton.

โ€œJohn was built like a second rower, but played most of his rugby for us, as centre.ย  Despite his size, he was still most speedy, and that was beneficial to Keith Fielding on the wing.ย  The three of us gelled very well together, on that right flank.ย  I instilled into them both, to watch what I was doing, because that was their clue as to what they needed to do themselves.

โ€œThere was many a time that the opposition would be drawn into tackling me, only to find that I had put first John into the clear, and that he had then passed on to Keith to romp in under the sticks.”

Besides boasting a back line of internationals, there was also some considerable talent within the pack, not least in the back three, where Ken singles out Colin Dixon as someone who was most special to the team and the club.

โ€œIt wasnโ€™t just what he did on the field, it was also his contribution to the ethos of the team within the club.ย  He was really articulate, and always had a well thought out view, to put forward.ย  Everyone listened when he spoke; he was always good company and interesting, and we all had some great times with him.

โ€œOn the field he was incredible.ย  His speed for someone of his size was exceptional, and once he was in the clear there were very few who were able to catch him.ย ย  He also ran with power, and, although he was not as big as Mike Coulman (RLQSG #1), he was every bit as strong.ย  He was absolute class, because he too had the vision as to the best plays to use at various times.โ€

Prop forward, John Ward, had played most of his career for Castleford, including against Salford in the Wembley Challenge Cup Final, before moving to Salford, two years later.

โ€œI didnโ€™t play many games alongside John, but I was really taken with his slight-of-hands skill.ย  He would almost stroll up with the ball, before sending out a slick pass that opened up a gap for the recipient to coast through.ย  He was such a talented player, in this respect.โ€

RUGBY LEAGUEโ€™S QUALITY STREET GANG โ€“ KEN GILL (PT2)

Part 2 โ€“ HIS MEMORIES OF HIS TIME WITH SALFORD

Joining such a star-studded side as Salford, in the wake of signings such as David Watkins, Mike Coulman {Rugby League Quality Street Gang #1), Colin Dixon and Maurice Richards, would most certainly have been a significant challenge to any young, unknown player, but the young Ken Gill was helped through that initial settling in by one of the other, more experienced, of the squad.

โ€œTony Colloby was a Cumbrian, who played in the three-quarters, and was one of the best centres I ever played alongside.ย  He was my type of player, which made it easy for me to continue to play my own game alongside him.ย  He also gave me lots of good advice which helped me along.

โ€œI spent my first season playing in the โ€˜Aโ€™ team, with the likes of Jim Hardacre and Micky Hennigan. ย Jackie Brennan was at the back end of his career by this time, so he was also in the team. ย He was a really good scrum half who had so much experience to contribute, and that helped me progress to becoming a first team player.โ€

Brennan, having been Salfordโ€™s scrum half at Wembley, had been replaced in the first team by a young Peter Banner (RL Quality St Gang #4), and it was not long before he, Banner, was joined by his fellow half back from the โ€˜Aโ€™ team.ย  The only problem was that the stand-off berth at the time was occupied by the mercurial David Watkins, in whom the club had invested a most considerable amount of money in obtaining his signature.

โ€œIt was always going to be a case of finding David another role in the team, and that turned out to be in the centre, which I think suited him, better than stand-off half had done, because he had more space there.โ€

Replacing such a highly regarded player would have overly daunted the majority of youngsters, but Ken had sufficient self-confidence to be able to take this in his stride, though the assertive, highly vocal organisational skills, which he brought to his role, possibly took a number of the team by surprise.

โ€œThey probably had something of a shock with this newcomer coming in and taking over.ย  I used to tell them to do things which they really could not believe, such as running at an opposition player rather than at the gap, because you can then deploy your running and rugby skills to get around him, but he has to stand still, almost rooted to the spot, because you are coming straight at him.

โ€œPlayers just could not get used to this and they kept trying to go between opponents, particularly when things were not going as easily as they usually did.

โ€œI looked on myself as being like the conductor of an orchestra, ย as I was able to determine which player was most likely to be able to make the break, and, by the timing of my pass to him, draw his opposite number away from him.

โ€œIt wasnโ€™t something you could practise in training because every situation in a game is different, and you just have to react to what presents itself in front of you, at the time.โ€

Little wonder then, that when Salford were in possession, the ball always found its way into his hands, and most fortuitous for him was that, in Cliff Evans, he had a coach who fully appreciated his many skills, and, in particular, his vision.

โ€œCliff was absolutely great for me and he helped me settle into the first team so easily.ย  Because he showed that he had faith in what I was bringing to the team it made everyone attentive to my on-field instructions, both at training and in the games.

โ€œHe was extremely encouraging in the way he dealt with all the players.ย  It was always a case of an arm around the shoulder and a few quiet words of advice.ย  He was certainly very good to me.

โ€œThere were people, even odd ones in the team but mainly amongst opponents, who did not like the way I played, simply because they couldnโ€™t do likewise, but Cliff always gave me his support, far more so than other, later coaches did.โ€

Not that things always went completely to plan, and, on the occasions when it all went awry, there were always people on the side-lines ready to criticise.ย  Such individuals were very much in the minority, for the greater number, by far, accepted that such errors are inevitably part of that style of play.ย  Certainly, the other players were of this opinion.

Friday nights at The Willows for those home games were really special occasions for everyone who attended, but for the players the experience was all the more so.

โ€œThe whole place was absolutely buzzing and you always felt on edge beforehand.ย  I was always full of confidence, though, no matter who we were playing against, and this seemed to rub off on everyone else, which was a great boost to us as a team, so much so that I used to be given the opportunity of contributing to the pre-match address.

โ€œThis, in turn, led to my being given the captaincy on a few occasions, and I was given the chance of being made club captain, but I turned it down, as I also did later on with an offer to be captain of Great Britain.

โ€œAt the time I wanted to be free to of the responsibility it brings, in order to be able to concentrate on my game, but now I wish I had taken those opportunities, especially the one to be captain of Gt Britain.โ€

What he produced on the field was, however, far in advance of what other players, at any other club, could envisage, and consequently the rest of the team held him in great respect.

โ€œMike Coulman was one of the first in the side to cotton on to me.ย  He quickly found that if he followed me around and followed my directions it would make his role both easier and more fruitful.ย  He had both the strength and pace to be able to make it pay.

โ€œOnce we got out onto the field, we would get the most marvellous uplift from the crowd, which had packed in, in their droves.ย  Friday nights at Salford were tremendous, and we used to live from one Friday to the next, because the next match couldnโ€™t come round fast enough.

โ€œPlaying under the floodlights also added considerably to the atmosphere around the ground and gave a sense of occasion which we found quite motivating, almost as much as the fans were. ย Once the game got underway, though, I would forget all about everything else, because I was just so focused on the game.

โ€œI can remember that after one of my earlier games, I had gone into the club for a drink and was absolutely astounded at the way the fans immediately swarmed all over me.ย  I had really never expected, nor experienced, anything like that before.โ€

This was most understandable, though, because rugby supporters know their game extremely well and the Salford fans back then were not slow to recognise an exceptional talent when they saw one.

Half backs, as a breed, are required to be extremely vocal throughout the game, as part of their organisational skills, and Ken freely admits to being the person in the side who took it upon himself to challenge his teammates to higher levels of performance, or extra effort, whichever he felt necessary at the time.

โ€œThe dressing room at half time was where it all happened, especially if we were losing.ย  I certainly let people know if they were falling behind in their endeavours, especially the forwards, because, without them laying a platform, we backs had a much lesser chance of success in our role.ย  Those were the games when the fans would see a second half rally that racked up thirty points, or so, for us to win.โ€

All of which was sadly missing in one game, when he had to withdraw very suddenly on the day of the match, owing to a most serious accident, at work.

โ€œI have no idea how I come to still be here, because I was an electrician by trade, at that time, and someone, whom I was working alongside cut through a live wire, and I was thrown back off the ladders, onto some benches below.ย  The next thing I knew was waking up in hospital, because the charge had been shorted to earth through me and the ladders I was on, though the lad who cut the wire survived, unscathed.โ€

The many highlights of his lengthy career with Salford started with their winning their first post war trophy.

โ€œOne of the first trophies we won was the Lancashire Cup in 1972, at Warrington, where we played Swinton in the final.ย  They gave us a really tough challenge, especially at the start of the second half, but we stuck to our task, and ended up winning with some comfort.โ€

That was followed up, eighteen months later with, of all things, their winning the First Division Championship, at the end of the 1973/4 season.

โ€œThat was absolutely magnificent, especially in winning all those games throughout the season. ย I started thinking above myself from that, and getting ambitions, which I had never even dreamt of before.

โ€œWhen we won it again, two years later, it was equally enjoyable, but this time it was more a case of having done what we had expected of ourselves.ย  The nerves had gone by this time, and we had matured as a team, so we were able to take every game in our stride.โ€

They certainly needed that for the seasonโ€™s final fixture at Keighley, which they had to win to lift the trophy, whilst their opponents had to win in order to avoid relegation.ย  The nervousness among the fans, and even people within the club was intense, especially with their needing to make a trip into Yorkshire, which so often had heralded the dashing of everyoneโ€™s dreams and aspirations.

โ€œAs far as we were concerned, I always used to say that if nerves got the better of you, you shouldnโ€™t be playing.ย  Players go out to do a job and they should be so focused on that that nerves shouldnโ€™t even come into it.ย  With that mindset, then, we did win, and we did lift the trophy for a second time in two years.”

By this time, though, other clubs had become fully aware of the incredible impact that Kenny had brought to Salford, and his skills and vision became much sought after.

โ€œI was for ever getting people coming up to me asking me to go down to first one club, then another.ย  Wigan even tried twice to get me to sign, and I even turned Saints, my home team, down, because I liked it so much at Salford.โ€

RUGBY LEAGUEโ€™S QUALITY STREET GANG (9) โ€“ ERIC PRESCOTT PT 3

Part 3 โ€“ HE REMEMBERS SOME OF HIS FORMER SALFORD TEAMMATES

The strong camaraderie, which existed throughout his time at the Willows, manifested itself in many ways over the seasons.

โ€œJohn Butler (RL Quality St Gang #2), Bill Sheffield (RL QSG #7) and I, all lived in St Helens, and we had all played for Saints before ending up at Salford, so we did all our travelling together, both to training and matches.ย  We all got on really well together, and the friendships which developed between us have continued ever since.

โ€œWe would get to The Willows, on a Friday evening at around quarter to seven, in readiness for the seven-thirty kick off.ย  With only around half an hour in which to get ready, you were out on the field before you had had time to think about what was happening.

โ€œAfter the game youโ€™d go back into the club and meet spectators who would come up to you for a chat.ย  It was like a family, all with the same motive. All the players used to enjoy this, and they would all talk to people at some length, because the fans were always so complimentary.โ€

Unbelievably, despite all of this attention that they all received, Eric insists that none of them ever felt in any way like the stars, which was how all of the supporters truly regarded them.

โ€œTo us, it was just a case of each one had had a job to do, and we had just got it right.ย  We didnโ€™t claim to have anything more than that.ย  The most crucial thing to us was that this was a team game, and everybody just got on well together.ย  The involvement of the spectators, after the game, was just an extension of this.ย  We even got requests to go along to amateur clubs or youth teams to present awards to their players, which was also really enjoyable.โ€

In common with many of his colleagues, Eric subscribes to the view that the redoubtable Colin Dixon was one of the mainstays of the team, at that time.

โ€œAlthough he was without doubt a gentleman, he was an extremely good player.ย  Whenever you looked at a newspaper report of any of our matches, Colin was always mentioned; that was how good he was.

โ€œHe was also good at explaining himself well.ย  I was a bit more reticent in speaking up, but Colin had such an assuredness that he was always willing to put his suggestions forward for people to consider.โ€

Alongside Colin in the pack was his second-row partner, Mike Coulman (RLQSG #1), who was to move up to prop, shortly after Ericโ€™s arrival on the Salford scene.

โ€œMike was a mountain of a player, and he was so powerful; his legs were immense.ย  Opponents were totally in awe of him.โ€

Although fullback, Paul Charlton (RLQSG #8), returned to his native Cumbria a couple of seasons after Eric joined the club, they played together long enough for Eric to enjoy the opportunity of having such a skilful player in the side.

โ€œHis speed and his fitness were exceptional, and he could accelerate so quickly from an almost standing start.ย  He was also really tough, as are many people from that part of the country.ย  Tony Gourley, who played in the second row for us, was equally so.

โ€œAs a loose forward I would have to do a lot of covering across the field when we were defending, and so that provided me with many occasions on which I could do nothing but marvel at the way that Paul would seem to come from nowhere to effect last-ditch, try-saving tackles on wingers who were convinced that they were on their way to a score.ย  He just had that off to a tee.โ€

Another remarkably tough individual was the centre who went on to captain not only the Salford side, but also Great Britain, Chris Hesketh,

โ€œChrisโ€™s defence was uncompromising.ย  When he tackled a player, they knew about it, and he became a very good captain for us.ย  He not only would talk to people to reassure them, ahead of the game, he would do what he could to help you out, and then give you encouragement during it.ย  He certainly helped a lot of young players who came into the side. I would say he was the best captain I ever played under.

โ€œHis running style, with an incredible sense of balance, was such that it really confused opponents, and his hand-off was so powerful and effective that, all-in-all, it made him so difficult to tackle.ย  He just seemed to have everything you could possibly want in a player.โ€

Alongside Chris in the three-quarter line were some of the fastest players in the game, including David Watkins, who had been club captain, immediately prior to Chris.

โ€œDavid was of a very similar style, as captain, and really eloquent in the way he put his points across. Keith Fielding (RLQSG #6), on the wing, just had out and out speed, and he used to put himself in a position to get on the end of a break from the likes of John Butler, or myself, to score try after try.

โ€œMaurice Richards, on the other wing, was a quite different style of player.ย  He would just run at people and then, at the last minute, deploy his remarkable footwork to wrong-foot them and sweep past them.

โ€œEverything on attack, though, used to come from Kenny Gill, at halfback.ย  We were well off for stand-offs, because John Butler was an international stand-off, but he played at centre for us, which was really good because he could read a game extremely well.ย  With so many former rugby union players in the side, he gave the team the stability that it needed at times of pressure, because, like Kenny, he had played league all his life.โ€

Another quite long-serving of the many second-row forwards of that period to play for Salford was John Knighton, who had come from rugby union into the โ€˜Aโ€™ team, and subsequently the first team, where he became a regular in the starting line-up.

โ€œHe was a really good player, was John, and, once he had secured an opportunity to play in the first team, he kept his place.ย  He did a considerable amount of tackling and grafting, which often does not get recognised on the terraces as much as wingers racing through to score tries.ย  As players, we just turn up to play in the way we are told, and then at the end of the week that is what we get paid for.ย  So, we forwards had to make the chances to get the ball out to the backs for them to score tries.

โ€œOut of the whole time I was there, the player with whom I was most friendly, was centre, Frank Wilson.ย  We had known each other whilst we were at St Helens, and then rekindled our friendship, when Frank came to Salford in 1979.ย  We played in the Centenary game together, against Widnes.โ€

Over his first period with the club, Eric played, in the main, under the direction of two coaches, Cliff Evans and then Les Bettinson.

โ€œThey were both extremely good coaches, and in much the same style as each other.ย  Everything was kept interesting for us because they varied things so much.ย  In addition, they were both extremely approachable and had a good relationship with the players.ย  If something was going wrong, we would talk it out calmly and sensibly, there was none of the bawling and storming that used to go on with coaches at other clubs.

โ€œWhen Les eventually decided to finish, Alex Murphy was one of a number of coaches who came in to try their hand with us.ย  I was absolutely made up for the club that we had been able to get someone of his rugby league stature, and he had done so well with both Leigh and Warrington.โ€

Over the years he was in the game, Eric won a total of six medals, whilst with Salford, but the one he really wanted, which was, of course, the Challenge Cup winnerโ€™s medal, eluded him, until eventually he went to Wembley as a Widnes player and helped them to lift the cup, to get even that one.

The success of the team, throughout the seventies, in his view, was thanks, in part, to the great team spirit that existed throughout the whole squad.

Signed Maurice Richards boot winner has been chosen

Salford Red Devils are delighted to confirm that Steve Hamby has won the signed Maurice Richards boot from our prize draw of our first 200 Squad Builder members.
The Welsh winger spent his entire Rugby League career with Salford racking up a Club record 498 appearances between 1969 and 1983 for the Red Devils. He also holds the Club record for most tries with 297. Richards was part of the Salford team which won Championship titles in both 1974 and 1976. He also scored in the Lancashire County Cup final on two occasions helping the Red Devils win the tournament in 1972.
Richards was recently voted into the โ€˜Willows Wallโ€™ Heritage Team.
You can still join the Squad Builder scheme and help the Red Devils push towards the 2019 season by clickingย HERE. Or, alternatively, if youโ€™d like to pay in one payment call 0171 786 1590 or visit the Salford Red Devils offices between the hours of 9am-4pm.

Squad Builder members have chance to win Maurice Richards’ boot

Salford Red Devils can confirm we will be entering all Squad Builder members into a prize draw to win a signed Maurice Richards boot once we reach 200 members.
Legendary Welsh flyer Richards holds the record for most Salford Red Devils appearances with 498 as well as being the Clubโ€™s all-time leading try-scorer notching a huge 297 tries. Richards was also named on the wing in our ongoing ‘Willows Wall’ Heritage Team.
The first 200 members of the Squad Builder initiative will have the opportunity to win this amazing and rare piece of Red Devils memorabilia.
Salford Red Devils Director Paul King has again donated this wonderful piece of history for Squad Builder members to win. This follows our recent prize draw for a signed match-worn Joey Lussick shirt which was won by Steve Greenall.
Make sure youโ€™re in with a chance of winning the signed boot of a Salford legend by signing up to the Squad Builder today.ย Platinum members will be given five entries into the prize draw, gold members will be given three entries while silver members will have a sole entry.
You can sign up over ten, easy, manageable monthly Direct Debit payments by simply clicking HERE. Alternatively, you can pay in one card payment by visiting the Salford Red Devils offices or calling 0161 786 1590.
To read more about or Squad Builder initiative and check out the amazing perks of our silver, gold and platinum schemes, click HERE.

Willows Wall | Maurice Richards joins Kieth Fielding on the wing

Following another week of voting, Salford Red Devils can confirm that Maurice Richards is the fifth name in the โ€˜Willows Wallโ€™ Heritage Team as he takes the position of left winger.
Richards joins fellow 1970โ€™s teammates Paul Charlton, Keith Fielding, David Watkins and Chris Hesketh in the side.
The Welsh winger spent his entire Rugby League career with Salford racking up a Club record 498 appearances between 1969 and 1983 for the Red Devils. He also holds the Club record for most tries with 297. Richards was part of the Salford team which won Championship titles in both 1974 and 1976. He also scored in the Lancashire County Cup final on two occasions helping the Red Devils win the tournament in 1972.
His try-scoring ability saw him earn Great Britain caps against Australia and New Zealand. He also played for Wales whilst at Salford. Richardsโ€™ began his career in Rugby Union with Cardiff RFC and went on to earn nine caps for Wales and three for the British Lions.
Voting for scrum half will go live later today.
The final voting for right winger finished as below:

  • Maurice Richards โ€“ 66.13%
  • Adrian Hadley – 7.42%
  • Alan Hunte โ€“ 6.45%
  • David Hodgson โ€“ 6.13%
  • Phil Ford – 5.81%
  • Darren Rogers โ€“ 5.16%
  • Alan Edwards โ€“ 1.61%
  • Keith Bentley โ€“ 0.65%
  • Clive Griffiths โ€“ 0.65%
  • Wally McArthur โ€“ 0.00%
If youโ€™d like to get your names alongside a host of Salford Red Devils legends contactย John.Blackburn@Salfordreddevils.netย and get your name on the โ€˜Willows Wallโ€™ for ยฃ25.ย 

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