Former Salford Red Devils captain Malcolm Alker dies aged 45

14 January 2024 , 16:37

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The combative hooker spent his entire career at Salford where he made 315 appearances (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Former Salford captain Malcolm Alker has died at the age of 45.

The combative hooker spent his entire career at Salford where he made 315 appearances, scoring 55 tries. He debuted in 1997 and became captain just three years later aged only 21. Alker, renowned for his tough-tackling and no-nonsense approach, went on to become one of the most talented No9s in Super League, representing Lancashire and also twice playing for England.

He retired at the end of 2010 and joined the club’s coaching staff. But Alker, often dogged by controversy, hit the headlines two years later when revealing in his autobiography he had used cocaine and banned growth hormones during his playing career. Alker was also sentenced to four years in prison in 2018 for two armed robberies where he wielded a machete when high on cocaine.

Salford made a statement this afternoon which read: “It is with huge sadness that Salford Red Devils confirm the passing of former Salford captain, Malcolm Alker. Firstly named captain in 2000 at just 21 years-old, the hooker would eventually become Salford’s full-time captain.

Ex-Salford hooker Malcolm Alker playing in 2009 (Chris Brunskill/REX/Shutterstock)

“In addition to representing Lancashire in 2002, his performances for Salford throughout the 2000s eventually gained him international recognition, receiving a call up and pulling on an England shirt on two occasions. All our thoughts are with Malcolm’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

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