I'm sure it was but either way it's surely an unnecessary large expense for a club with particularly shaky finances, having recently stayed afloat by selling off 3 of it'main assets and going cap in hand to their supporters.. seems irresponsible.

Yep. MjM makes a fair point, but there is a broader theme here. Salford have been flirting with financial disaster for at least a couple of years and in their desire to continue their excellent form on the field they have been guilty of living beyond their means.

Sadly familiar situation playing out at Salford.