BY JOHN DAVIDSON
BREAKING: Salford Red Devils are set to be wound up today because of their financial issues, ending the history of the 152-year-old club in its current guise.
Salford are due in the High Court today at 10.30am, for the fifth time, to face a winding up petition from HMRC for over £700,000 in unpaid taxes.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands controversial club owners Curtiz Brown and Sire Kailahi were seeking to secure another adjournment of the winding up petition. However, it is believed club CEO Paul King has refused to approve the appointment of a barrister to push for another adjournment, meaning the Red Devils will be liquidated.
King is the sole director of Salford City Reds (2013) Limited.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands that King believes any further adjournments would prolong the ongoing agony imposed on the club’s staff and fans, and that a resolution would finally allow a new consortium to take over and rebuild.
It is believed that following King’s decision, Brown and Kailahi have decided not to contest the winding up petition and will not be represented in court today, leaving the club to be officially wound up.
The total amount of debt facing the Red Devils is around £4 million, rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands, and has grown substantially this year. The club has already been relegated and was expected to compete in the Championship in 2026, with its first game scheduled against Oldham in just six weeks.
But the vast majority of the club’s staff, including coaches and players, have long departed for other teams after a disastrous 2025 season.
With Salford City Reds (2013) Limited to be dissolved, rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands there are three different consortiums keen to take over Salford’s RFL membership and set up a new club in the city.
One is involving former Salford CEO Chris Irwin, player agent Graeme Taylor and Salford Council deputy mayor Jack Youd. The second is being fronted by former Super League player Mason Caton-Brown and the third involves New Zealander Tracy Atiga.
Atiga is the CEO of the company Kanaloa Hawaii Sports Entertainment Limited.
The RFL has been approached for comment. Brown and Kailhali have also been approached for comment.
More to come.
