Malcolm Alker has been restored as Salford City Reds skipper ahead of Friday night's Super League clash with St Helens.
Hooker re-instated after pre-season disciplinary breach
Malcolm Alker has been restored as Salford City Reds skipper ahead of Friday night's Super League clash with St Helens.
Alker, 30, was stripped off the team captaincy by the board of directors some six weeks ago following incidents on the club's pre-season tour of Florida.
However, he has now been re-instated to his former position by coach Shaun McRae after a run of three successive defeats for the City Reds who have shipped 129 points in the process.
"Having spoken at length to Malcolm, it was clear that lessons have been learned," stated McRae, who is understood to have intervened on Alker's behalf.
"He is deserving of this second chance. I have little doubt about that and I can see in his eyes that he will not let us down.
"I am very pleased we have managed to resolve this and we can now get back to business with no distractions."
A delighted Alker was overjoyed with the decision, adding: "It was a horrible feeling to lose the captaincy and I hope no one has any concerns about how much it means to me.
"I would like to thank the coach and board of directors for the confidence and trust they are once again placing in me and I realise the importance of putting this behind us, starting today.
"It is my job to rally the troops and make them understand we are much better than our recent results indicate and I relish the opportunity to do so with authority once again.
"We have a massive task ahead of us but I know - and will make sure that the rest of the lads know - that, if we just concentrate on doing our jobs, that we are more than good enough for Super League."
Salford have now completed their investigations into alleged breaches of a late-night curfew on the Jacksonville trip and hope today's move will draw a line under the controversy.
Chairman John Wilkinson explained: "Malcolm has handled himself with a great deal of dignity and always kept the club's best interests in mind throughout this unfortunate situation, even when it was hurting him personally.
"His conduct throughout the enquiry has gone a long way in enabling us to make this decision."
