Salford RLFC have been saved and will compete in the 2026 Championship but they will look very different due to their former entity of the Red Devils going into liquidation. One thing that means is that the club cannot operate their former pathways system and they’ve now made the ‘difficult decision’ not to launch a new one.
In 2025, Salford relied heavily on their pathways system with plenty of youngsters playing week in week out in Super League as they struggled to field a team of senior players.
Following their liquidation, the club have reformed under former player Mason Caton-Brown with ex-captain Ryan Brierley appointed as club CEO and among the number of difficult decisions that Brierley has had to make, cutting a pathways system is one of them.
In a statement penned by Brierley and shared on the club’s social media, Salford RLFC confirmed the decision and explained why those steps had been taken.
Salford RLFC scrap pathways due to ‘immediate financial risk’
Posting on Instagram, Salford RLFC shared a lengthy statement announcing and explaining their decision to not run a pathways system with the primary reason being financial.
“As a club, we have taken the difficult decision that the new entity of Salford RLFC will not operate a pathways system at this time,” the club announced.
“It is important to reiterate that everything connected with the previous entity is now null and void as a result of the liquidation process.
“The club is currently in a vulnerable position. To operate an effective pathways programme would cost in the region of £100,000, and despite the significant support we have received from sponsors and the Supporters Trust, committing to this at present would place the club under too much immediate financial risk.”
It was also confirmed that when financially viable, the club’s ambition is to reintroduce a pathways system. An update on that will be provided at the end of the club’s first season.
Brierley’s statement then said: “I fully understand that this decision will be disappointing, and I share that disappointment. However, I must make tough decisions that are in the best interests of the club and that protect it’s future. We cannot allow the events of last year to happen again.
“Whilst I appreciate that some may not agree with this decision, I hope you can understand the reasoning behind it.”
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