Ryan Brierley pulls off epic stunt on his father as he reveals Salford switch
RYAN Brierley must be a good poker player if the trick he pulled on his Salford-supporting dad after he signed for his boyhood heroes is anything to go by.
For he had Paul fuming after convincing him he had been whacked with a massive tax bill and he would have to chip in.
Brierley has finally made the switch from starry-eyed fan to player after joining the Red Devils from Leigh.
But he revealed the epic stunt he managed to get his old man – whose name actually features on a heritage shirt – when the moment finally came to revealing the switch.
Brierley explained: “I told him I’d got a massive tax bill and that he had to come around because I was in pieces and that he’d have to help pay it.
“He came around fuming. I passed him the letter but that was actually my contract with Salford.
“He was really emotional. To give my dad that moment made it all worthwhile. For him to see his son play for Salford will be a moment that can never be replaced.
“All my family are Salford season ticket holders. I’m pretty sure my dad still is. Whenever I wasn’t playing at Leigh, I’d go to away games with them on the supporters’ bus!
“We have a couple of family group chats on WhatsApp and I’ve been getting hammered already.”
Brierley recalls looking on in awe from The Shed at Salford’s old Willows home, dreaming of walking out of the ‘tunnel’ – which was more like a wire fence – to represent his heroes.
His switch is also likely to see him reunited with former boss Paul Rowley as a replacement for Richard Marshall will be announced in the coming days.
But whoever does take charge has been told to use him as a full-back – by the Scotland international himself.
The 29-year-old added: “Do I believe I can play at half-back in Super League at the highest level, at the highest intensity, week in, week out? No I don’t.
“I don’t think I’m good enough to do that. I can do a job there but in Super League, full-back is the position for me.
“I’d go to The Willows and be in The Shed every Friday night. They’re my people. My dream was to play for Salford but ultimately, I got the move because I’d played well.”