In an effort to draw fans out of the woodwork Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash is offering free entry for all at this Sunday’s critical Super League tie with Catalan Dragons at the AJ Bell Stadium.
With a 3pm kick off and no football to contend with, the club are hoping that the Manchester Air Show across the road at Barton airport will hopefully bring a few extra spectators through the turnstiles.
Average crowds have dropped to around 3,000 this season, way below the level Salford need to break even.
It’s all come to a head in the wake of rumours over the club’s financial standing, this claim by Koukash that Salford City Council owe him £800,000, the resignation of troubled Kevin Locke, and the club filing legal proceedings against former New Zealand star Tony Pulueta for libel.
And given the nature of their 32-28 defeat to Hull KR on Tuesday, the lads will want to show that their league position of 11th is not representative of their talent.
Read: Salford beaten by Hull KR
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With chances to stake a place in the top 8 sadly drifting from unlikely to almost impossible, Harris must now look to the middle 8 play-offs and hope that he can keep the club in the top flight with the help of former Australia coach Tim Sheens when he finally lands in Salford.
The Devils’ defence has gone AWOL in tight spots this season, whether by lack of concentration or sheer bad luck.
After the shocking loss to Wigan Warriors, a game that they dominated for long periods, Harris made it clear to the waiting press corps that they could not afford another defeat during the rest of the regular season.
Sadly, his defence didn’t get that memo and again switched off in Hull.
The old adage of not letting a rugby ball bounce was shown to be true yet again when Michael Dobson allowed one to drop in front of him, and then bounce again, for Albert Kelly to score the easiest try of the evening to seal the win.
The only bright spot for Harris has to be the defeat of Hull FC by Wakefield.
That gives them a silk thread of hope, given their remaining game against Hull KR (at home) is followed by two very tricky away games at Leeds and Widnes to close out the regular season.
Salford Red Devils vs Catalan Dragons. Sunday 5 July, AJ Bell Stadium. Free entry. Kick off 3pm.
