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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tom Bramwell

Salford Red Devils coach calls for fans to be allowed at Wembley for club's first Challenge Cup final in over 50 years

Salford are heading to Wembley for the first time in more than 50 years after booking their spot in the Challenge Cup final with a dramatic 24-22 victory over Warrington Wolves.

And coach Ian Watson is calling for the restrictions on fans at sporting events to be lifted so they can share in the historic occasion later this month.

The RFL has already announced the final will be played behind closed doors, but Watson is hoping the regulations can be relaxed.

“It’s huge for the club,” he said. “Getting to Wembley is absolutely massive. I don’t know if it’s a given that there will be no one allowed.

“I’d like to see season-ticket holders, sponsors and the players’ families there, I’m sure people can socially distance in that stadium."

The Red Devils overcame the cup holders and torrential conditions at the Totally Wicked Stadium to earn the right to face Leeds Rhinos in the showpiece event on October 17.

(Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

They did so by fighting back from a 10-point deficit with 20 minutes remaining and it is the character his side displayed that most impressed coach Watson.

“The players deserve this,” he said. “It’s not supposed to happen to a club like ours but it shows it’s not money that makes you win, it was sheer desire and resilience that got the win.”

“To get to Wembley is absolutely massive,” added Watson. “But we’re not there to make the numbers up - we’ll be going there to win.

“We know Leeds are a good team and they’ve given us a bit of a beating already this year, so we need to make sure we’re well schooled on how to prepare for Leeds.

“But it’s a cup final. We’ve got plenty of players who have played in cup finals and know what it takes to win.

“It’ll be absolutely huge for the city of Salford, not just these players and the club.

“On the back of what we did last year, getting to a Grand Final, this just cements some of the players’ legacies.”

What do you think? Should season ticket holders be allowed into Wembley? Post your comment below

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