The Death and Rebirth of Salford Red Devils: Liquidation News & 2026 Outlook
The gavel fell at the High Court in London yesterday morning, December 3, 2025. It took less than sixty seconds for the judge to issue the winding-up order, legally ending the 152-year existence of the holding company behind one of Rugby League’s most historic clubs.
For the fans who have stood on the terraces at the Willows and the AJ Bell, this isn’t just business news; it is a gut punch.
But while Salford City Reds (2013) Ltd is dead, the team itself is fighting for its life.
The Salford Red Devils latest news liquidation updates are coming thick and fast. The headline is grim, but the story isn’t over. A “Phoenix” consortium is already waiting in the wings, and a desperate six-week race has begun to ensure a Salford team walks out to face Oldham RLFC in the Championship opener on January 16.
Here is the full breakdown of what happened, the plan to save the club, and exactly what needs to happen before kickoff in 2026.
Breaking: Liquidation Confirmed (What It Means)
The High Court ruling on December 3 was the inevitable conclusion to a disastrous twelve months. Following the failed takeover by Dario Berta in February 2025 and a catastrophic Super League campaign that ended in relegation, the financial walls finally closed in.
According to the official filing verified by BBC Business Reports, the club owed approximately £4 million to creditors, with a significant portion owed to HMRC.
Liquidation vs. Administration: The Crucial Difference
Many fans are asking why the club didn’t enter administration, as we have seen with other teams like Bradford Bulls or Wigan in the past. It is vital to understand the difference:
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Administration is like a hospital. You send a sick company there to pause its debts, cut costs, and try to save it.
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Liquidation is a funeral. The company is considered beyond saving. The assets are sold off by an insolvency practitioner (in this case, Begbies Traynor) to pay creditors, and the company ceases to exist.
This ruling means the RFL has automatically terminated the club’s membership. The entity that played in the Super League in 2025 is gone. Any team that plays in 2026 will be a completely new legal entity—a “Phoenix Club.”
The Phoenix Plan: Can Chris Irwin Save the Devils?
Within hours of the court ruling, a ray of light emerged. A new consortium led by former CEO Chris Irwin and backed by local business leaders has officially declared its intent to form a new club.
Irwin, speaking exclusively to Total Rugby League, stated: “The holding company may be gone, but the spirit of this community will never die. We are ready to step in immediately.”
The “Sustainable” Requirement
The RFL Board is meeting today (Thursday, Dec 4) to review the consortium’s proposal. This is the biggest hurdle. After the financial chaos of the Berta era, the RFL has tightened its regulations.
To grant membership to this new “Phoenix Club,” the RFL requires a Sustainable Business Plan. They will not accept vague promises of funding. Irwin’s group must prove they have the capital to run a Championship club for the full 2026 season without relying on “fantasy economics.”
If the RFL rejects this plan, there will be no Salford team in 2026. It is that simple.
The “6-Week Sprint”: Countdown to Jan 16 (vs Oldham)
The 2026 Betfred Championship fixtures were released earlier this week, scheduling Salford to play Oldham RLFC on Friday, January 16.
That gives the new owners just six weeks to build a club from scratch. Here is the daunting timeline they face:
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Week 1 (Dec 4 – Dec 11): Secure the Membership The RFL must ratify the new club’s membership. Without this “Golden Share,” they cannot legally play a match. This usually comes with a points deduction penalty (likely -12 points) to start the season.
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Week 2 (Dec 12 – Dec 18): The Stadium Lease The team needs somewhere to play. Negotiations with the stadium owners (CorpAcq) must be finalized immediately. Without a confirmed venue, the RFL will pull the plug.
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Week 3-5 (Dec 19 – Jan 9): The Squad Scramble This is the logistical nightmare. Most professional players signed their 2026 contracts back in May or November. The new Salford management will be scouring the free agent market and looking for loan deals from Super League clubs to cobble together a 25-man squad.
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Jan 16: Kickoff If all goes to plan, a Salford team—likely a mix of loyal youngsters and journeymen pros—will take the field against Oldham.
Life After Rowley: The St Helens Era Begins
Amidst the Salford Red Devils latest news liquidation chaos, the departure of Head Coach Paul Rowley was officially confirmed.
Rowley has signed a three-year deal with St Helens, replacing the outgoing coach at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Why Fans Don’t Blame Him
Usually, a coach leaving a relegated club faces a backlash. Not here. Rowley is viewed as the man who kept the ship afloat while the boardroom burned. He worked for months without clarity on his budget or future.
His move to Saints is a logical step for one of the brightest tactical minds in the game. He leaves with his reputation intact, but he leaves a massive void.
The Vacancy: Who Takes Charge?
The new consortium needs a Head Coach, and fast. The rumor mill is already spinning:
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Danny Ward: Known for working miracles on a shoestring budget (London Broncos).
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Brian McDermott: Currently available and experienced in the Championship.
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Internal Promotion: Could a senior assistant step up to stabilize the ship for 2026?
Fan Guide: Season Tickets & The 1873
For the supporters who have already purchased season tickets for the 2026 campaign, the situation is murky.
The Hard Truth: Money paid to Salford City Reds (2013) Ltd is now in the hands of the liquidators. Season ticket holders are technically “unsecured creditors.” In most liquidation cases, unsecured creditors receive pennies on the pound, if anything.
The Solution: However, it is standard practice for Phoenix Clubs to honor the commitments of the previous regime to maintain goodwill. Chris Irwin has hinted that the new consortium intends to honor 2026 season tickets, provided the RFL grants them membership.
The Role of “The 1873”
The independent supporters trust, The 1873, is pivotal right now. They are urging fans not to panic and to wait for official guidance before attempting to claim chargebacks from banks.
If you want to help, follow The 1873 Official Twitter/X for mobilization updates. They will likely launch a “Squad Builder” fund once the new club is ratified.
2026 Outlook: A New Beginning
December 3, 2025, will go down as the darkest day in the club’s history, but it does not have to be the end.
The Salford Red Devils latest news liquidation headlines are frightening, but the path forward is clear. The “Berta Era” of debt and uncertainty is over. We have a clean slate.
The next six weeks will define the next fifty years of Rugby League in this city. If the RFL approves the Irwin consortium, and if the fans rally behind the new entity, the Red Devils will rise again.
The target is January 16. The opponent is Oldham. The goal is survival.
FAQs
Will Salford Red Devils play in the 2026 Championship?
It is highly likely, but not guaranteed. The new “Phoenix” club must have its business plan approved by the RFL Board. We expect a decision by the end of this week.
What happens to the players who were under contract?
All contracts with the old company are void. Players are free agents. The new club must negotiate new contracts with any players they wish to keep, but many have already signed elsewhere (like Paul Rowley to St Helens).
Will the new club start with a points deduction?
Yes. RFL rules regarding insolvency events and “Phoenix” clubs usually mandate a significant points deduction, typically starting the season at -12 points.
Can I get a refund on my season ticket?
You can file a claim as a creditor with the liquidators (Begbies Traynor), but a full cash refund is unlikely. The best hope is that the new owners honor the existing tickets.
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