Salford Red Devils have been wound up at a specialist companies court, bringing an end to the 152-year-old club's existence. The decision came after a one-minute hearing relating to an unpaid tax bill owed to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The club, which was relegated from Super League last season after a torrid campaign marked by late wage payments and a mass player exodus, had been set to begin the 2026 Championship season with a home match against Oldham on January 16. Only yesterday, they published their full fixture list online.
Supporters and businesses are understood to be interested in immediately resurrecting the Red Devils as a 'phoenix club', potentially fulfilling the old club's fixtures. The winding-up petition was initially brought in June and had been adjourned several times to allow for the debt to be paid. The club was not represented in court.
Fan group The 1873, named after the team's founding year, described the situation as 'prolonging the pain' for supporters. In a statement, the group said: 'The people of this city have always been the heartbeat of the club. They will remain so through this darkness and into the dawn that will follow.'
Salford has a unique connection to rugby as the birthplace of William Webb Ellis, credited with the origins of the sport. The club finished fourth in the Super League table in 2024, and in December that year, Salford council took full control of the Community Stadium, which the club calls home.
A club statement expressed gratitude to fans, saying: 'Whilst there is sadness in seeing things come to this point, there is also a sense of relief that an extremely challenging period for the club has finally come to an end. We hope that the club's proud name and history can live on and continue to represent the people of Salford.'
