Salford sack star for refusing to shake bus driver’s hand as boss blasts ‘It’s not something I’ll compromise on’

A RUGBY league player has been shown the door by his club – for not showing the coach driver respect. The unnamed Salford star failed to shake the hand of the man behind the wheel when they arrived at a Championship clash. Salford chief executive Ryan Brierley axed an unnamed player for not showing a bus driver respect Credit: Alamy Bierley claims: ‘A good culture will win you 10 trophies’ Credit: Alamy And chief executive Ryan Brierley – who last year played for them in the Super League before they went under and reformed – revealed that was too much. Manners are everything and cost nothing – show them. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He said: “We released a player because he didn’t shake the bus driver’s hand. Simple as that. “Looking back now, could we have done with him? Probably. “Every team’s recruitment culture will be, ‘get good people first.’ I’m not sure many people believe it. “I’m not sure there are many teams who won’t compromise on it either. We’ve turned down way better players than what we’ve got now in favour of good people – fact. “It’s not something I’m willing to compromise on. Good players will win you a trophy, a good culture will win you 10.” Brierley and Salford’s board – including Australia-based businessman Malcolm Crompton and former player Mason Caton-Brown – had just three weeks to assemble a team for their opening match. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Now after revealing their wage budget is £150,000 for this season, they hope to double it for 2027 – and feel they can push for the title. Brierley added to the Bring On The Salford podcast: “I want to win the league and I believe it’s possible – but not on the playing budget we have now. “I want to be part of this new Salford era and be the first chief executive to hold that trophy. “I do believe with a £300,000 playing budget we can achieve something pretty special.” Comment now