The recent big news from Salford was the sacking of their manager Richie Wellens after just 4 months in charge. Wellens led the side to victory in the Papa John’s Trophy final in March, beating Portsmouth on penalties at Wembley. But a run of just one win in eight games, leaving Salford 6 points off the play-offs, cost Wellens his job. Salford immediately appointed Gary Bowyer as their new man in charge. The former Blackburn, Blackpool and Bradford boss arrived from Derby, where he was working with the U23 side. Bowyer’s first game in charge saw Salford lose 1-0 at Exeter, his second was a 1-1 home draw against Grimsby.
Salford started the season with a 2-2 home draw against Exeter, a 4-0 away win against Grimsby, then a 0-0 home draw against Rovers – all in September 2020 . Since then they have had 4 more away wins (all of them 1-0) but have also racked up 9 losses on the road and 2 goal-less draws. Their form away from home has been something of a weakness this season – 33 of their 50 points have come at home. Salford have the league’s best home record in the division and they also boast the division’s meanest defence – just 31 goals conceded in their 37 games. Expect a tight encounter when Salford come to Nailsworth!
Ian Henderson is the 36 year old striker in form for the Ammies. He has netted 11 times in the league so far. Henderson has experience in all 4 top leagues and has had long spells at Norwich, Colchester and, until last summer, Rochdale.
What do we know about Salford City? The club were founded in 1940 as Salford Central. It changed its name in 1963 to Salford Amateurs (where their nickname ‘The Ammies’ comes from) before becoming Salford City in 1989.
At each home game the team walks out to The Pogues’ cover of Dirty Old Town. The Pogues were originally called Pogue Mahone from the Gaelic phrase póg mo thóin, which means ‘kiss my a***’! Dirty Old Town is a 1949 Ewan McColl song which was inspired by the singer’s childhood in Salford, hence its connection to the club. The song opens with the lines;
I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall. Dirty old town,
Dirty old town
In March 2014 the club was taken over by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes & Nicky Butt (the ‘class of ’92’). Later in 2014 a 50% stake in the club was sold to Peter Lim, a Singapore-based businessman who also owns Valencia CF.
In 2019 David Beckham bought a 10% stake in the club from Peter Lim.
Since 2014 the club have been promoted 4 times. In 2014 the club had ambitions to reach the Championship within 15 years. They may be ahead of schedule!
The club’s Moor Lane ground was completely demolished in 2017 to allow for the building of 4 new stands. The ground is now called The Peninsula Stadium.
