There are still plenty of points to play for in the League for Exeter City, with the next hurdle being that of Salford City.
Here’s a look at Saturday’s opponents, who make their first ever trip to St James Park.
- Founded: 1940 (as Salford Central)
- Nickname: The Ammies
- Honours: National League North (2017/18), National League Play-Offs (2018/19), Papa John’s Trophy (2020*)
- Home Kit: KAPPA Red shirt, White Shorts and Socks
- Away Kit: KAPPA White shirt with black trim, black shorts and socks
- Third Kit: KAPPA Black shirt with pink trim, black shorts and socks.
- Form: WDLDL (9th in League Two)
*Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Final was played 13, March 2021.
The origins of Salford City are obscure though a club having been founded as Salford Central in 1940 developed to become the modern team we see today. In 1980, Anson Villa (not a typo) merged with Salford before changing their name in 1990 to Salford City. The club nickname The Ammies derives from another former name, Salford Amateurs.
The City of Salford is a metropolitan borough in the Greater Manchester sub-urbs, with the name adopted by the largest Town there. Salford is of course famous for its quays and Media City UK which houses the BBC amongst other major media corporations.
Salford became a large silk distribution centre during the industrial revolution and was a major inland port for the Manchester Shipping Canal.
In true community spirit, Salford City are now owned by ex-players from another local club, who have made rapid progress in their project. Salford have won four promotions in six seasons to now become a Football League club for the first time in their history and the standards are now so high at the club, not even ninth in the league (where they sit going into Saturday’s fixture) is enough for the Class of ’92.
The Manager
Gary Bowyer
Salford’s third manager of the 2020/21 season, Gary Bowyer is now at the helm. The 49-year-old comes into the Peninsular Stadium just weeks after Richie Wellens guided the Ammies to Papa John’s Trophy success.
Bowyer comes into the job with experience at the higher levels managing the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool in the past. His playing career was cut short due to injury though experience at Hereford, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United has taught him well in management.
Bowyer was manager at Blackpool when they won promotion via the League Two play-offs from in 2017.
The Stadium
- Name: Peninsular Stadium
- Capacity: 5,108
- Year opened: 1979
- Record Attendance: 4,518 (v Leeds United, League Cup 1st Round, August 13, 2019)
- Address: Moor Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M7 3PZ
Moor Lane has had some radical developments in the last six years and has been well documented in the BBC Documentary Class of ’92: Out of Their League. The capacity grew from a humble 1,600 to now over 5,000.
In October 2017, Sir Alex Ferguson re-opened the now sponsored Peninsular Stadium and in 2019 the ground hosted its first C-team international when England took on Wales.
City took nearly 700 fans to the ground on our inaugural visit in 2019, but Salford City fans will still have to wait for their first visit to SJP.
One To Watch
Salford’s top scorer this season has netted 13 times in all competitions. The veteran striker began his career at Norwich in the early 2000’s prior to moving to Northampton.
An interesting transfer took the 36-year-old to Turkey and Ankaragücü in 2009, though after just six months he returned to England.
Now though he’s leading the line for Salford but hasn’t scored in his last five games. Let’s hope that extends to six. That said, Henderson has already bagged against City this season, marking his Salford debut with a goal.
Head To Head
Exeter are unbeaten against Salford City in all TWO games played between the sides! Last season’s home fixture was the first to be postponed due to the pandemic so Saturday marks Salford’s first ever visit to St James Park.
- Salford City wins: 0
- Draws: 1
- Exeter City wins: 1
Recent Encounters
Salford City 2-2 Exeter City | August 12, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
Matt Jay and Joel Randall opened their accounts for the season when City had to twice come from behind to snatch a point at Moor Lane.
Salford City 0 Exeter City 1 | 14/12/19 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
Ryan Bowman’s header secured a City win in the only previous fixture between the two sides.
And Finally
Salford only reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in the 2015/16 season. That year they beat Notts County in Round 1 before being knocked out by Hartlepool in the second round. All three of their games were shown live on TV.
How to Watch
You can purchase a match pass for the 1pm kick-off at the cost of just £10. The stream includes the live BBC Radio Devon commentary, score overlay and replays.
To purchase a match pass please click here.
