The dramatic demise of Salford Red Devils and Featherstone Rovers is a warning to the rest of rugby league, according to a player who served both clubs.
The Red Devils were liquidated last month after a year of turmoil on and off the field ended with them finishing bottom of Super League and being relegated to the second tier. A new club, Salford RLFC, was granted a place in the Championship later in December.
In another blow for the sport, Rovers went into administration last month. The RFL ruled a subsequent takeover bid did not meet the necessary criteria and Featherstone were excluded from this year’s Championship.
Now at Castleford Tigers, prop Brad Singleton played for Rovers on dual-registration in 2018 and was at Salford from 2023-25.
Reflecting on the fate of both clubs, Singleton – who will lead Tigers in his testimonial game against Leeds Rhinos at OneBore Stadium on Sunday – admitted: “It is a shame what has happened.”
He said: “You don’t want to see these teams disappear and I think it is a bit of a wake up call for rugby league, how these clubs are slowly disappearing.
“I don’t have the ideas, I am sure smarter people than me do, but something needs to change and something needs to improve.
“I feel like the rugby is exciting, but off the field, whether you are Championship or Super League, things need to be put in place – more security for the clubs, because I don’t know what it looks like in 10 years.”
Singleton admitted he was delighted to see a new Salford club rise from the ashes, stressing: “I’m pleased for the fanbase mainly.
“There is a lot of love there and they need to support someone. To keep the identity of Salford was probably important for the new consortium and it feels like they have done it, so hopefully that’s the foundation for something great for that great club. It has been around for a long time and they have been successful in the past.”
Singleton ready for huge year in Castleford Tigers’ colours
Singleton came through Rhinos’ youth system to make his first team debut in 2011. After 178 appearances, the Cumbrian moved to Toronto Wolfpack in 2019 and joined Wigan Warriors the following year.
Having been part of Rhinos’ treble success in 2015 and won another Grand Final two years later, he helped Wigan to top spot in Super League in his first season there and got his hands on the Challenge Cup again in 2022.
He linked up with Tigers midway through last season and – having been awarded a testimonial for services to the sport – is excited about the club’s prospects under new coach Ryan Carr.
“I am in a great team with Cas who I feel have turned a corner this year,” he said.
“It’s their centenary year, they’ve got a new badge, a new team and a new coach and it’s a very exciting year.
“It has been a great pre-season and we are fully prepared, excited and quietly confident in how we are going.”
Singleton’s deal with Tigers is until the end of 2026, but he has no immediate plans to hang up his boots.
He added: “This is the first time ever I’ve entered my final year. I think it’s a case of just enjoying it and taking each game as it is and then it looks after itself.
“If, at the end of the year, I am going well and feeling great, I’ll go round again. If that’s not the case, I’m sure there’ll be other options.”
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