Football Season Guide

It feels like Salford City are at a crossroads following their lowest finish since promotion to the Football League. The momentum that’s been built over the last decade since the Class of ’92 took control of the Ammies seem to have been lost, with a succession of managers failing to guide them to promotion from League Two. Neil Wood came closest in 2022/23, losing to Stockport County in a play-off semi-final penalty shoot-out, but then didn’t see the rest of the year out. There was some surprise when Karl Robinson was announced as his replacement, and he ensured the side did enough to keep their heads above water. There is however a sense that Robinson won’t be hanging around for too long and there will yet more managerial upheaval. At the start of the year the club announced they were seeking more external funding and Gary Neville has since acquired Peter Lim's shares, ending the Singapore businessman's ten-year association with the club, having invested several millions of pounds. There is clearly limited support given the proximity of Manchester City and United and it leaves question marks over the future both on and off the pitch. Robinson has had to deal with the departures of two key men this summer. Elliot Watt was one of the best holding midfielders in the division, and has taken a step up in joining Burton Albion. Matt Smith is a throwback centre-forward and at the time of writing has yet to find a new club after leaving the club. They are both going to be difficult to replace, although Ben Woodburn clearly has the pedigree having come through Liverpool’s academy. Cole Stockton is in a similar mould to Smith, but has only really had one successful season at Morecambe in an otherwise journeyman career.