Featured image: George Wainwright

Salford City vs Swindon Town

Salford City have been around since 1940 and currently compete in league 2. Nicknamed ‘The Ammies’ due to their original name, ‘Salford Amateurs,’ their most recent piece of silverware came in 2020, when they won the EFL Cup.

The club was taken over in 2014 by a consortium, led by members of Manchester United’s famous Class of 92; including the Neville brothers, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. It’s this that seemingly dominates the identity of the club.

The takeover saw the club change from their original home colours of orange and black, to colours more closely associated with Manchester United: red, white and black. It also saw the switch from the traditional circular lion crest with the club’s nickname, ‘The Ammies’, positioned under it, to a more sleek, minimalist design; a five pointed shield with a silhouetted lion in the middle – the points representing each investor.

Tonight’s opponents, Swindon, currently sit 22nd and, given their poor start to the season, look like they are going to be dragged into a relegation battle in the coming months. “They always concede, I’ve put money on it,” Salford faithful, Marco, tells us before kick off. In spite of himself, he cautiously predicts a 3-1 win for The Ammies. Marco’s reluctant optimism is rewarded within mere minutes, as academy prodigy Kelly N’Mai puts the home side in the lead with a clinical early strike.

Salford are overly physical in their efforts to protect the one goal advantage, conceding a spate of cynical fouls. Referee Darren Drysdale produces an early booking for Thomas Edwards, the first of three yellow cards given during the fixture. Winger Dan Chesters enchants the Swindon back line with a variety of mazy dribbles, proving himself a nuisance, with a number of lobbed crosses in the direction of N’’Mai at the far post.

At the half-hour mark an opportunity went begging for Frankie Okoronkwo, his cushioned header pounced upon by Swindon Town goalkeeper Daniel Barden. Okoronkwo’s perseverance is nearly rewarded as he drags another shot just shy of the bottom corner of the net. An ensuing scramble and some heroic last ditch defending by Tunmise Sobowale ensures that the deficit remains at 1-0 as the teams retire for the halftime break. 

“You have to put the onion in the bag,” says a fan at half-time, with Salford’s early lead far from worthy of gaining three points. “We’ve battered them,” says supporter Tim. “But we need another goal…”

Swindon make an array of attacking changes of their own during the break, paying instant dividends when Harry Smith scores an equaliser in the 50th minute. Smith punishes Salford for their lethargic defending with an assured finish. The momentum of the game swings briefly in Swindon’s favour and the frustration amongst the home support is palpable. 

Young Salford loyalist Lewis has some choice words for his age, venting his annoyance in the direction of linesman Thomas Cooke. Things go from bad to worse for Salford, when Dan Chesters is forced off through injury. The stalemate intensifies on the touch line, resulting in a warning for Swindon manager Mark Kennedy. Kennedy’s woes worsen when the deadlock is broken by Salford’s Jon Taylor in the 70th minute, smashing home a half volley from the edge of the area to put his side back in the lead.

A deflated Swindon Town lack the quality to find a foothold in the match, seeing few chances to find a late equaliser. Goalkeeper Jamie Jones makes a vital save in the final minutes to keep the scoreline at 2-1 and secure a much needed three points for Salford City. 

On the night it seemed the big change in 2014 worked. Most of the people we approached had only been attending for a few years since the takeover, with some even saying it was their first time, one even trying to relate it to Manchester United’s current fortunes. The deep-rooted association that the Class of 92 led consortium definitely contributes to the older demographic of fans, with it not uncommon to see many home attendees donning United’s kits and training wear. That’s not to say that there isn’t a community feel in the club; in the fourth minute of the game fans erupt into applause in memory of a four-month old fan who had tragically passed away. And many of the younger fans were wearing the Salford kit, ensuring that the modern refresh will have some sort of legacy.

However, there is something lost in the sleek makeover of the club. Everything feels a bit soulless in comparison to their opposition, Swindon Town, who have maintained their club colours and crest. Even aAh! Editor Ian Burke says: “It wasn’t always this bonkers.”

Although the club have experienced some major successes since the takeover, the sea of United shirts (and spotting a familiar face in Roy Keane after the game) leave the identity of the club lying largely in the shadow of the bigger boys in Trafford.