Football Season Review

This wasn’t the way the script was written for the season as Salford City’s play-off hopes were dashed. With such a high-profile co-owner in Gary Neville, and the associated financial resources, expectations at Moor Lane are sky high. Graham Alexander’s sacking after just five games shocked many and the Ammies never seemed to recover. Richie Wellens, a former Manchester United trainee, didn’t need much enticing from League One Swindon Town, but struggled to get to grips with the job and exciting performances were the exception rather than the norm. They could boast the best defensive record in the division and had the best goalkeeper in the league in Vaclav Hladky. They also had a lethal marksman in the experienced Ian Henderson, who bagged 18 goals. Yet the team never really gelled and result were disappointing, especially on the road. There was success in the EFL Trophy as they beat League One Portsmouth on penalties in the final at Wembley. It still wasn’t enough to save Wellens, who lasted barely six months. Gary Bowyer was given the task of securing a play-off place with eleven league matches left to play. He won six of them but it wasn’t enough as they missed out by just two points. Salford City have come a long way in a short space of time but they need some continuity if they are to be successful in the future.

Player of the Season: Vaclav Hladky