Salford RLFC CEO Ryan Brierley has shared an update on the club’s status after just three months in charge with the former captain explaining just how difficult it’s been to navigate in terms of player recruitment.
After Salford Red Devils entered administration, the club reformed under the RLFC moniker with Brierley returning to the club as CEO to lead the way.
Confirmed as returning to the Championship in late December , Salford had a task just getting enough players and a kit for their first game but seven games into the season and the club is more settled.
The squad is still very limited though and efforts to improve it are proving tough with Brierley revealing just how difficult it is to sign players, particularly as the club are blacklisted by several player agents after what played out in 2025 under the old ownership.
Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel and asked how recruitment was, Brierley admitted: “Tough and it’s back to the point about availability. There’s a lot of young lads there who need a bit of experience and help, and we’re aware of that but it’s not through a lack of trying.
“We’re all in the office every day trying to find ways to improve the squad hour by hour, constantly trying to phone agents and especially the ones who will deal with us, because there is not many who will.”
He also pointed to Super League’s injury crisis as having a trickle down effect, stating: “As you’ve seen in Super League, there have been a number of injuries so early on so naturally the players who sit behind the first-team starters would be available but now they’re not because they’re playing first-team every week.”
Salford RLFC focused on rebuilding trust as Brierley shares update
Salford have been able to sign loanee Toby Hughes to a permanent deal with the half penning a three-year deal at the club, something Brierley said highlighted a major step in terms of the club building.
As for other future recruitment, he confirmed some players have already been signed: “Player recruitment we’re on with. We have signed a couple of players for next year because I think it’s important we make those building blocks right now.
“Overall, I think it’s a great start. I’m really proud of my staff and the team.”
One player who has been massively important in the early weeks and months for Salford RLFC is Brad Dwyer though Brierley accepted that it likely won’t be long before a Super League club attempt to sign the hooker.
He explained: “Ultimately at this moment in time, he’s a Super League player who is playing for us and I think we almost need to be mindful and appreciative of where Brad’s situation lies.
“He’s helping us out for a long period of time and what I love about Brad is that he cares.
“We’ve got to understand that we might lose Brad at some point because a Super League club might come calling. It’s really difficult for us because we’re a part-time team and he is a full-time Super League player in my eyes and opinion, and it won’t be long before teams come knocking on the door.
“Brad knows that, it was spoken about before Brad signed. He does still have a burning ambition to play Super League and for us it was about trying to get the most out of him… Hopefully, we can keep him for a little while longer.”
Brierley also admitted that the club still have a long way to go to repair bridges that were broken by the old ownership.
He explained: “Just the other day we were trying to get a good bus to travel to go to London but we couldn’t get one because the previous entity owed so much money to them coach companies… The aim is to build that trust back and build a connection back.”
As for highlights, he said: “The Hunslet game when we won was nice but what I would say is just the connection that we’ve regained throughout our supporter base, our stakeholders, our sponsors.
“Seeing people back in Salford shirts, smiling and happy that they’ve got their team back to support is pretty special and that’s what I’d say has been the biggest success for me.”
