Trio make the grade at Devils
SALFORD have signed up a trio of exciting youngsters to be part of the club’s returning reserve-grade setup in 2020.
Connor Aspey, Luis Roberts and Jamie Abram have all agreed deals to feature in the Red Devils reserve side that will be coached by Danny Barton.
Aspey and Roberts have both been key members of the club’s Foundation Development Academy side, also coached by Barton, which is based at Eccles Sixth Form College.
Abram – the son of former Leigh and Rochdale coach Darren – emerged through the Salford Scholarship scheme, before joining the Warrington Wolves Academy.
The return of the reserve team provides a route to professional rugby league for the likes of Aspey, whose performances in the Academy side were rewarded with firstteam action in pre-season fixtures against Wigan Warriors and Swinton Lions ahead of the 2019 Super League campaign.
And the versatile 17-year-old has continued to impress throughout the year and is expected to be a key player in the Red Devils reserve side.
“I’ve always wanted to play professionally and knowing there was an opportunity to reach a higher standard through the reserves has given me a lot of motivation,” said Aspey, a Hindley ARLFC junior.
“The support I received in preseason this year was unbelievable and having a taste of that professional environment made me even more eager to experience it again.”
Abram is returning to Salford after a spell in the Warrington Wolves Academy.
The 19-year-old – who is comfortable at half-back, full-back or hooker – came through the ranks as a Scholarship player at the club and will now look to emulate his father, Darren, by progressing to the first team and tasting action at Super League level. “I’m very pleased to be back at
Salford and have the opportunity to work with Danny again,” said Abram.
“My dad is proud of me for making this step up. Hopefully, I can met my family proud with my performances and even impress Ian Watson.”
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Salford will again host Swinton in a pre-season friendly fixture at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The clash with the Betfred Championship side coached by ex-Red Devil Stuart Littler on January 5 will be the club’s first taste of action since the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Salford ran in 11 tries in a 52-6 victory over coach Ian Watson’s former side in their first action of 2019, with the final score of the fixture – a try for now-departed Derrell Olpherts – set up by an exceptional break from then-trialist Connor Aspey.
Swinton’s operations director Steve Wild said: “I’d like to place on record our thanks to Ian Blease, Ian Watson and the AJ Bell Stadium for making this exciting pre-season encounter possible.
“Salford had a wonderful campaign last year and we couldn’t ask for a tougher opening test for our squad. It’s a traditional encounter dating back 140 years and evokes a lot of great memories.”