Salford lead rugby league tributes to Manchester attack victims
Rugby league paid its respects to the victims of the Manchester bombing across the full programme of games over the weekend.
The most poignant tribute came at the game most local to the atrocity, Salford Red Devils hosting Catalans Dragons at the AJ Bell Stadium.
This bus will be driven around the united cities of Salford and Manchester advertising tomorrow’s game #manchester pic.twitter.com/CJgKB6As9R
— Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) May 25, 2017
Just shy of 5,000 people turned up, where Devils owner Dr Koukash had made the incredible gesture to donate all proceeds from the game to the victims’ fund.
The tribute didn’t stop there – perhaps most fittingly, as a round of applause ended on the 22nd minute, Salford’s number 22 Kris Welham crossed for a try in what was a resounding win for the high-flying Red Devils.
— Junior Sa’u (@junior_sau) May 26, 2017
A minute’s silence was held before the other five Super League games on Thursday and Friday, and also before all seven games at the Summer Bash in Blackpool.
There was a round of applause throughout the 22nd minute at all seven games at Bloomfield Road, most prominently during the gripping game between Hull KR and Bradford, where chants of “Manchester we love you” could be heard.
#SummerBash | I ❤️ Mcr@Swinton_Lions showing solidarity for #Manchester pic.twitter.com/GXYlXoSKlo
— Championships-RL (@RLChampionships) May 28, 2017
Oldham and Sheffield were among the teams that had tributes on their warm-up jerseys and that of their off-field staff.
A total of 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber on Monday night at Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert.
