Phil Veivers reveals Matty Smith’s departure to Wigan

Matty Smith will leave Salford to join Wigan, according to the City Reds’ coach Phil Veivers.

Veivers is convinced that Smith is on his way to Wigan, and is bitterly disappointed his scrum half would not be staying at the Salford City Stadium.

Speaking about the transfer, Veivers said: “I’m dead certain that’s going to happen.

“My job now is to find a replacement, or to develop someone within the club to replace Matty.”

Smith’s future at Salford had looked increasingly grim following the announced departures of Thomas Leuluai and Brett Finch from Wigan at the end of the season, and Shaun Wane’s declaration of interest in the 24-year old.

However Veivers revealed several clubs made offers to Smith.

He said: “There were four clubs chasing one guy, and the guy has got to make a decision where he wants to go or what he wants to achieve.

“We made a contract offer to Matty, Widnes came in with a massive offer, Saints came in with an offer and so did Wigan.

“He’s already been at St Helens, and Widnes would have been a viable option because he wanted to be part of the rebuilding there. The way Wigan are playing, they’re on top of the table and in the frame for every honour this year, and you’d think they will be there next year so you can understand why Matty would make that decision.”

But Veivers was devastated with losing a key player in Smith, especially as the fortunes at Salford were beginning to improve on the field following consecutive wins against Huddersfield and Catalan.

Veivers said: “The restructuring is still happening within the club, and that means trying to work out what budgets we have available next year.

“We’re in a rebuilding stage here and I was hoping Smith was going to be the man that I could build the team around.”