Andy Burnham is ready to ‘play his part’ in ‘changing the ownership’ at crisis-hit Salford Red Devils. Salford’s 2025 has been disastrous. Existing financial worries have become existential threats after Jacobsen Management Group purchased the club in February. In Jacobsen’s first six months of ownership, Salford ‘delayed payment in wages’ to staff and players, ‘failed to meet tax obligations’, and soon face an ‘HMRC hearing’. To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE The Red Devils, in contention to be Super League champions last year, cancelled their fixture against Wakefield on Sunday due to ‘welfare concerns’, because only two of its 17-man squad were senior players. Salford were ordered to sell stars by governing body the Rugby Football League (RFL) earlier this season, and an exodus followed. Now fulfilling most matches with academy talents and on-loan players, Salford are rooted to the bottom of the Super League table, winning only two matches. Fans genuinely fear for the club’s survival, organising a ‘walk-out’ of the Wakefield game after 30 minutes, but held a protest march instead after the match was called off. Now, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has called for owners to change — and requested an ‘urgent meeting’ with Jacobsen on Friday (August 22). “[Salford] mayor Paul Dennett [and I] met with the RFL, so you’ve got GMCA, the RFL, Salford City Council, all of us, are deeply concerned about the position that Salford are in. It’s got to be dealt with, it can’t carry on like it is at the moment,” Mr Burnham said on Tuesday (August 19). “It’s just not right for a proud name like this, one of the oldest names in English sport, to be run to the ground. It’s just completely unacceptable. “So we are seeking an urgent discussion, this week, and the support of the RFL to enable Salford to complete its Super League fixtures. “I think that’s very important and we made that call yesterday, at the meeting. The support of other clubs has been appreciated in loaning players. We hope that can continue. “It’s important Salford complete the Super League season, but also there’s a change of ownership. I can’t see any other solution than that. We are ready to play our part in facilitating that.” In a statement released on Wednesday (August 20), the mayors re-iterated their request for a meeting. Fans have welcomed Mr Burnham’s involvement, but Shirley Bradshaw, chair of the supporters’ trust, said her ‘optimism has gone’ Salford will survive in Super League. “The protest last weekend has opened a lot of people’s eyes who were not aware of how bad the situation has got at Salford. I’m made up with the amount of fans that turned up,” she said. “It’s been my life for over 60 years so I just don’t want to lose it. “I think from the protest a wider audience are seeing it now, I’ve seen people posting on social media who probably don’t really bother that much, but they’ve venting their feelings now saying the owners need to go.” Salford Red Devils were contacted for comment.