NAME: Salford City
NICKNAME: The Ammies
YEAR FOUNDED: 1940
MANAGER: Paul Scholes
LEAGUE POSITION: 7th
A BRIEF HISTORY:
Salford City were founded in 1940 originally as Salford Central playing in local leagues around the City of Manchester. The club changed their name to Salford Amateurs in 1963 after joining the Manchester League, winning the Manchester League Division 1 title in the 1968-69 season to earn promotion to the Manchester League Premier Division.
After a period of great success in the Manchester Premier League, Salford dropped their ‘amateur’ tag and moved into Moor Lane. In 1980, the club were accepted into the semi-professional Cheshire League in 1980 after merging with Anson Villa.
After a couple of seasons in the Cheshire semi-professional league Salford became founding members of the North West Counties Football League. In 1990, Salford became Salford City and flood lights were installed at Moor Lane for the first time allowing the club entry into the FA Cup in their 50th year.
At the end of the 2007/08 season, Salford were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One North. Having finished second behind Champions Trafford, meaning Salford were promoted to the fourth tier of Non-league for the first time in their history.
Five members of United’s Class of ‘92 approached the Salford Club President David Russel about a potential takeover. The takeover was ratified by the committee and Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes. Peter Lim also purchased a 50% stake in 2014.
Midway through the 2014-15 season, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley took control and with 15 wins from 17 games, became champions of the Northern Premier League Division One. Salford secured a second successive promotion to secure National League North status after defeating Workington in the Northern Premier League Playoff final.
In their first season of the National League North, the Ammies qualified for the playoffs but lost out to FC Halifax in the semi-final on penalties. The Ammies won the National League North in the 2017/18 season to gain promotion to non-league's top flight.
Graham Alexander took over as manager and with a steady start set a record breaking run of going 20 games unbeaten in the league. After a slow winter period, the Ammies restored their form going ten games unbeaten to finish third. After beating Eastleigh in the play-off semi-final on penalties, Salford were set to face AFC Fylde in the final at Wembley. Defeating Fylde 3-0 in the final, Salford reached League 2 for the first time in their history and became the first club to win back to back promotions to the Football League. Salford finished in their first season in League 2 in 11th place.
THE LAST LINEUP:
Vaclav Hladly, Tom Clarke, Ashley Eastham, Jordan Turnbull, Ibou Touray, Jason Lowe, Oscar Threlkeld, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ian Henderson, Ashley Hunter, James Wilson
THE LAST SCORE:
Salford 3-0 Southend - Wilson, Henderson, OG
KEY PLAYER:
Ian Henderson - 35 year old Henderson has scored five goals in seven appearances this season. Henderson signed for Salford in 2020 on a free transfer after spending seven years at Rochdale making 343 appearances scoring 126 goals.
BETTING ODDS:
Salford: ¾
Draw: 3/1
Crawley: 7/2
