The Salford Red Devils can confirm that seven players have departed the club following the end of the 2017 season.
Michael Dobson, Todd Carney, Olsi Krasniqi, Adam Walne, Jordan Walne, Liam Bent and Connor Williams will not be part of the squad heading into 2018.
Dobson, who has spent three seasons with Salford, confirmed he would return home to Australia last month in search of new avenues in coaching and development and to take his family home.
Head Coach Ian Watson confirmed – following the Red Devils Super 8s fixture with Leeds – that Carney would no longer be a part of the squad heading into 2018. Carney arrived at the club from Catalans Dragons earlier this season.
Krasniqi also confirmed his departure last month with the Albanian-born forward set for a move to newly promoted Championship side Toronto Wolfpack.
Long-serving brothers Adam and Jordan Walne have both also left the club having made 75 and 55 appearances for the club, respectively.
Youngsters Connor Williams and Liam Bent will also not be a part of the 2018 roster.
CEO Ian Blease said: “We’d like to thank all seven players for their services to the club.
He added: “As a club, we’d like to wish each of them all the very best for the future.”
2018 Season Ticket details are coming up this week.
Tag: Olsi Krasniqi
Ian Watson names his 19-man squad for the visit of St Helens
Ian Watson has made just one change to his 19-man squad for this weekend’s visit of St Helens in the Red Devils final game of the 2017 season.
George Griffin drops from the squad after picking up a knock in last Friday’s defeat to Leeds Rhinos. Josh Wood comes into the 19-man squad for Thursday night’s game.
Wood was included in the match day squad last weekend after Kris Welham had to pull out with a toe injury however the centre returns this weekend.
Michael Dobson, Olsi Krasniqi and Todd Carney, who are all set to depart the club at the end of the season, aren’t included in the 19-man squad.
Lama Tasi, Lee Mossop, Mark Flanagan and Greg Johnson all remained sidelined.
Tickets are on sale for our final home game of the season against St Helens and can be purchased over the phone, at the Club Ticket Office or online here. Fans can also watch our end of season awards for an extra £5 in the 1873 suite post-game. Season Tickets are valid for all Super 8s home games.
Let's end the season in style
The Red Devils host St Helens in our final game of the season on Thursday 21st September, 8pm kick-off, and this gives the club and the fans the perfect opportunity to celebrate this season in style.
This season we have earned our highest ever Super League finish in the regular season, reached our first Challenge Cup semi-final for twenty years and earned our first ever Super League play-off/Super 8s victory.
And, now it’s time for the club to come together and remember this remarkable season with our final game of 2017 against St Helens.
Tickets are available over the phone, at the Club Ticket Office or online here. The Club Ticket Office will be open from 9am-9:30pm every day throughout the week. Season Tickets are valid for our final game of the season.
Following Thursday night’s game we will present our end of season awards in the 1873 suite with general admission ticket and Season Ticket holders having to pay £5 for admission. However, VIP ticket or Season Ticket holders will not have to pay the additional cost.
This gives fans the perfect opportunity to give the lads the reception they deserve and to celebrate with the players. Also, fans can thank those players who will be leaving at the end of the season such as Michael Dobson, Olsi Krasniqi and Todd Carney who have all made contributions this season for the Red Devils.
In addition, all Red Devils Season Ticket holders have a fantastic hospitality deal available to them for this final game of the season. Season Ticket holders can purchase hospitality for £60 per person including VAT to finish the season in style including a sumptuous three-course meal, access to the Man of the Match award and a VIP seat to watch our final game of the season.
We have also slashed all our Raging Bull stock by 20% including replica shirts, polo shirts, tracksuit pants, bags and rucksacks, shorts and even scarfs as part of our ‘Super 8s Super Sale’. This offer is available online here but the Raging Bull Stand will also be at Thursday night’s game prior to kick-off for you to take advantage of this brilliant offer and get kitted out with your favourite Red Devils gear.
Ian Watson confirms 19-man squad for trip to Leeds
Ian Watson has named his 19-man squad for the Red Devils trip to Headingley to take on Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.
George Griffin returns to the 19-man squad after suffering from a knock sustained last week. Daniel Murray also enters the fray after not featuring since the defeat to Castleford in early August. Olsi Krasniqi is left out of the squad for Friday night’s game.
Greg Johnson was named in last week’s squad but had to pull out through with a hip injury late in the week which means he drops from this week’s 19-man squad. Jake Bibby is likely to start on the wing again after scoring a try last weekend against Huddersfield.
Gareth O’Brien moved into the halves last week and looks to be set to partner Robert Lui again with both Michael Dobson and Todd Carney absent from the 19-man squad.
Tickets are also available for our final home game of the 2017 season against St Helens on Thursday 21st September and are available over the phone, at the club ticket office and online here. Season ticket holders are reminded that their season tickets are valid for all Super 8s home games but are encouraged to look at our hospitality deal for season ticket holders against Saints.
Ian Watson names 19-man squad for the visit of Huddersfield
Ian Watson has confirmed his 19-man squad ahead of Saturday’s Super 8s clash with Huddersfield Giants at the The Salford Stadium.
There’s two changes to last weekend’s squad as Niall Evalds returns to the side in place of Todd Carney.
Ben Murdoch-Masila, who did end up playing last weekend, returns to the 19-man squad while prop-forward George Griffin is left out.
Olsi Krasniqi, who confirmed he will leave the Red Devils at the end of the season earlier in the week, is also named. Craig Kopczak is set to face his old club on Saturday afternoon.
Olsi Krasniqi to leave Red Devils at end of the season
The Salford Red Devils can confirm that forward Olsi Krasniqi will leave the club at the end of the 2017 season.
The Albanian-born forward joined Salford back in 2015 from Championship side London Broncos. Krasniqi, who was brought up in London, spent four years with the Broncos as well as enjoying stints on dual-registration with London Skolars.
Since arriving at the The Salford Stadium Krasniqi has been a regular feature in the Salford first team playing in a range of positions.
Krasniqi said on his Instagram: “A few weeks ago I made the decision to leave the club. The two and a half years I’ve been here have been the most enjoyable of my career to date which made leaving even harder. Thanks to all the fans for making me feel so welcome since the day I got here! And most importantly to all the lads I’ve played alongside, it’s been an absolute pleasure to share the field with some great blokes. I hope we finish what’s been a rollercoaster of a season on a good note and wish everyone all the best for next season.”
Red Devils Head Coach Ian Watson said: “Olsi has been a great player for us and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coaching him. You certainly can’t question Olsi’s commitment to the cause – he’s somebody you know will go out there and give 100%, put his body on the line and wear the shirt with pride.
“I, along with everyone at the Salford, would like to wish Olsi all the best for the future,” Watson added.
Krasniqi could still feature in the Red Devils final three Super 8s games of the season against Huddersfield, Leeds and St Helens.
Olsi Krasniqi – "A really disappointing performance"
Salford forward Olsi Krasniqi is gutted that the Red Devils seem to have lost the chance to make the top four and knows the team need to pick themselves up quickly.
“It was a really disappointing performance, we got dominated by Wakefield and it’s going to be extremely difficult for us to get a top four place now.
“We didn’t really stick to the game plan and the attitude from the boys wasn’t right and I think that was evident and cost us in the second half, especially.
“The top four is still in view but we’ve given away a very very good chance there.
“It’s still there in sight but we’ve got some good teams that we need to beat now and the way we’re playing at the minute it’s going to be very difficult to overcome the likes of Huddersfield, Leeds and St Helens.
“We can’t dress this up at the moment – we just aren’t playing well and it needs to change very soon.
“But, if we can pick ourselves up and win our three games and win well you never know there’s an outside chance we might make the top four.
“Obviously, the most important thing is just to put in the performances now and show up and entertain the fans a little and take that into the 2018 season.
Foundation Master Classes receive fantastic feedback
The Salford Red Devils Foundation have successfully held six ‘Master Class’ training camps over a three-week period with the help of several first team players.
Robert Lui, Junior Sa’u, Olsi Krasniqi and George Griffin held sessions last week before Lui again got involved alongside currently injured trio Lee Mossop, Mark Flanagan and Lama Tasi.
Children took part in a range of activities designed to develop rugby skills before being taught from by the pros. A ‘try of the day’ competition was also run on the Salford Red Devils Twitter account to show off the skills they had learned.
The Salford Red Devils Foundation also donated rugby equipment to local community clubs Salford City Roosters, Cadishead Rhinos and Langworthy Reds last weekend to continue to help the growth of young rugby league talent in Salford and the surrounding areas.
The Red Devils Foundation masterclasses have received some excellent feedback from the children who took part as well as parents on social media.
Here are some of the comments from Twitter:
“Mark had a brilliant 2 days. Can hardly believe the number of first team players that turned up to help the other great coaches. Thank you.” – @TonyTheExile
“I’ve had a great time big thanks to all the coaches and players I’ve met over the past few days anni x” – @jpeckersley
“It is my sons on it and came home last night buzzing” – @Williams28Garry
“Thanks very much – my 2 lads loved it! They’re shattered now though” – @999mandysmith
“That’s my boy! Fantastic couple of days training, he loved it so much – what a brilliant experience. Thanks to all at Salford!” – @HethT
“Fantastic gesture by the players. Sure the kids enjoyed it” – @Grahamj1948
Red Devils Foundation hosting Master Class Rugby Camp
Salford Red Devils Foundation are pleased to announce the ‘Master Class Rugby Camp’ which will take place in the coming weeks.
The sessions will be taught by first teamers Robert Lui, Junior Sa’u, George Griffin and Olsi Krasniqi.
Sessions will include position specific master classes, fitness training in the first team gym, wrestling, skills technique and games all of which designed to develop rugby skills.
Costing £60 per person the sessions will take place between 10am-3pm at the The Salford Stadium on the following days:
- Tuesday 8th August and Wednesday 9th August (Year 10 and Year 11)
- Tuesday 15th August and Wednesday 16th August (Year 8 and Year 9)
- Tuesday 22nd August and Wednesday 23rd August (Year 6 and Year 7)
*Current year group for the 2016/17 school year.
To book your place contact Salford Red Devils Foundation on 0161 786 1591 or Email joanne.shepherd@salfordreddevils.net
Three Red Devils heading for career milestones
A trio of Salford Red Devils could be celebrating milestones this weekend as they prepare to do battle with Hull FC in their opening Super 8s fixture.
Kris Welham, Olsi Kransiqi and Logan Tomkins will all hit career milestones should they appear in Friday night’s game at the KCOM Stadium.
Welham, who joined the Red Devils from Championship side Bradford Bulls, is set to make his 250th career appearance this weekend.
The centre has appeared for the Red Devils 25 times following his arrival at the beginning of the season. Welham racked up a sensational 191 games for Hull KR before moving to the Bulls and the 30-year-old has also represented Gateshead and the England Knights.
In addition to closing in on 250 career appearances Welham is also one try away from 100 in the Super League. Welham has crossed nine times this season for the Red Devils building on his impressive 90 tries between 2007 and 2015 for Hull KR.
Hooker Logan Tomkins could make his 150th career appearance this weekend. Tomkins has appeared for the Red Devils on 86 occasions while featuring for Wigan 47 times. He has also made dual-registration appearances for Workington and Widnes.
Olsi Krasniqi also needs one appearance to hit 150 career games. Since signing for the Red Devils in 2015 Krasniqi has played 51 games adding to his 92 games for London between 2010 and 2014. The Albanian-born forward has also featured for North Wales and London Skolars.
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