Salford City

It’s not that long ago that Salford City were the Wrexham of the moment, when celebrity owners took over a club previously unknown to much of the wider world, pumped money into it, and starred in TV shows, thus attracting a lot of attention and no small bit of resentment. Eventually, though, the media spotlight moves on, leaving the Ammies to appear, at the moment, to be a pretty ordinary little League Two club in Greater Manchester.

To summarize their history before the takeover, they were founded in 1940 and competed in various local leagues and cups under different names, finally making the Northern Premier League (tier 7) in 2008. At that point, only locals, supporters and hardcore groundhoppers knew who they were. They stayed in that league for the next six seasons.

And then they were purchased by some former teammates at a larger local club you have definitely heard of: Manchester United. They were part of the club’s famous “Class of 92” and include Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham. Their stated intention was to make the Championship, and they started splashing the cash.

They replaced the stadium in less than a year, bought players, hired managers, the whole thing – and started barnstorming up the leagues. This didn’t endear them to other clubs’ supporters, of course. Of greater concern to some of their own folks, the club’s crest was changed, and the colors went from black and tangerine to – you guessed it – red, black and white. These United people just cannot move on. (Even when frustrated Man United supporters started an alternative club, they called it FC United of Manchester, who also wear red and white.)

Anyway: 2015, champions at tier 8. 2016, promoted to tier 6 via playoffs. 2018, champions of tier 6. 2019, promoted to tier 4 via playoffs. 2020, League Trophy winners. Since then, three mid-table finishes in League Two and, last season, an appearance in the playoffs, where they won the first leg at home over Stockport County, then gave up an injury-time equalizer away before losing on penalty kicks.

2024–25 SEASON: 8th in League Two, 3rd Round FA Cup, 1st Round League Cup

2025–26 SEASON: League Two (promoted in 2019)

There are many clubs in the general area around Manchester – Oldham, Bolton Wanderers, Accrington Stanley, etc. – although none of these rivalries are too heated, as Salford are fairly new. The older non-league rivals have been left behind.

Last season, the Salford City Lionesses, founded in 2018, finished last in the North West Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, tier 5 of the pyramid. So this year they will be Division One North, one tier lower. Home games are at Partington Sports Village.

Their theme song, played as the teams come out, is “Dirty Old Town,” written by local folksinger Ewan McColl. The version used here was recorded by The Pogues.

Moor Lane, officially known as Peninsula Stadium, has been their home since 1979, but was completely rebuilt in 2017, going from 1,600 standing spots to 5,108 total, with 2,246 seats. It is a simple affair, with each side hosting six rows of plastic seats and each end with terracing. Away fans will stand in the east end, home rowdies in the west.

The floodlights are of some interest, as they are shaped similar to the club crest; groundhoppers love to comment on floodlights!

TOURS: None

GETTING THERE: The nearest MetroLink station is about 1.5 miles away, so the best way to get there is a bus from Manchester Victoria Station; take line 97 or 98 for 20 minutes to the Moor Lane stop, then walk about five minutes. Or just get a taxi, which is also a much better call for after the game, especially if you reserve something. Here’s a Google Maps link.

PUBS: There’s a club bar behind the Neville Road Stand, but it’s accessible only if you’re in that stand. A local brewery also has an outdoor setup behind the West Stand. Otherwise, do your pregame in Manchester.

GRUB: Standard fare at the ground, so get yourself a curry in Manchester before you head out.

AROUND TOWN: Technically, MediaCityUK, on Salford Quays just across from Old Trafford, is also in Salford. But that’s on the built-up side of Salford, whereas the stadium is on the northern, residential side. It’s a nice part of town, but there’s nothing to see in particular.