mondays meeting update : Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:39 pm
Adam Jude introduced himself to the meeting & explained his role at the club.He has worked at R.F.L. the last 6 years prior to coming to Salford doing all aspects of marketing , C.C. S.L. etc & decided he wanted a new challenge, was impressed with our future plans, community work, only Leeds have a better comm. development than us we have got 11 development officers at present, & we have the bigger community area incuding Manchester. Prior to working at R.F.L. he worked for Warrington pre H.J. stadium, only there up to planning & approval, so understands what we are going through at present re our stadium.
Adam was asked what he had done upto now, said the club don't have a massive budget to work with like the R.F.L. so can't do things overnight, but whilst at Warrington, he got recognition for the work he did there with a minimum budget, so hopes to do the same for Salford.
Did find a fan offer, & golden angel is being rolled out again + as we are tying in with the university, deals will be available for students. The club have five & half lottery members,trying to get them to come to games aswell. lots of other incentives are being looked at.
Steve was then asked about the squad, did he think they were good enough, said they know they are not performing aswell as they should, fans saying there is a rift, that is untrue, the players are as upset as everyone else with the games they have played. We have also got injuries to all our backs, & the youngsters in those positions are just not up to speed yet, so other players playing out of position. We as a club havn't got the finances to bring other players in to replace them.
Asked what injuries have we got at the moment, Wishire still injured, & Talau is out for a couple more weeks, McGilvery playing in the reserves this w/end, White not quite ready, plus a few have had the virus sweeping through the squad but should be fine to play.
Was then asked if Malc returning as captain make the difference at Saints, Stuart said he didn't think so the team just played better, saints & leeds are the stand out teams, all the guests agreed that those days are gone when you could pick the games you could take the points from, due to the salary cap.
Steve was then asked what is his remit on recruitment of players. He is asked to see who is available, see what terms etc they want, I then tell the board & its up to them who is signed. Asked why we dont take more from areas such as Wigan as Phil Clarke stated that Wigan area have 212 play in the Wigan amatuer area every week so there is plenty to be had, & Steve said we are only allowed 5 youngsters from outside your area & we have got them.
To get "better players" we need equity in the club to attract the players otherwise they will always go to bigger clubs. Asked about south sea islander's, said its harder to get them work visa's now.
Stuart was asked could it be physcological, as no relegation , he said NO, they dont go out to lose, the team not settled due to injuries & the team getting changed, not settled.
WHEN THE FANS ARE BOOING & GETTING ON YOUR BACK etc, IT REALLY HURTS THE PLAYERS. He was asked if the togethrness is there it doesnt appear to be, Stu said its just when your not playing aswell as you know you can it knocks the stuffing out of you.
Steve said the bottom line is they need to work harder,they are giving their best in training, they need to transfer it to the playing park.
Was then asked re the players fitness, Stu said Andy really puts them through it,if he thinks your not listening, he makes you do it again, maybe its a mental thing.
Asked how Shaun handles half time when we are getting beat, said its no use ranting at that point as players have got to go out & perform again.
The majority of people at the meeting said it is appalling the ammount of booing that has crept into the game, Adam & the players thought the support was great at Saints last Friday, & asked that the Shed get behind the team on Friday.
Adam was asked who/what he conciders our main rivals/opposition in the area, United,City, Trafford Centre, Lowery to compete with,having said that , we have maintained all our sponsors, he said Salford Reds punches well above its weight as regards sponsors.
The community team have just secured funding with north & south Trafford to put development officers in the area as no where in Trafford plays rugby
For anyone who doesn't know Stu has been granted his Testimonial from the R.F.L. which starts in May & his opening Dinner at the Willows is on May 15th, tickets will be £30pp incl. 3 course meal, gust speakers on the night will be Tommy Martin & Robbie Paul + comedian. Tickets will be available from the club shop & Stu's dad, whos number will be available on the posters shortly due to go out. He will be having Golf Days, Ladies Nights, Race Nights etc, so watch for info going out.
Lastly, Adam was asked about "The Devil" logo, as it has an affinity with the fans, said 4/5 different ones over the years, need to have some consistency, pick one everyone agree's on.
If all your questions were not answered, then get yourselves down to the next meeting & ask away.
Next meeting scheduled for Monday 27th April.