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 return to St James Park.
- Founded: 1940
- Nicknames: 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 March 13, 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 won four promotions in six seasons to now become a Football League club for the first time in their history. They’ve found their fledgling Football League years tough and have since changed managers three times in two years.
It seems teams are either in a relegation scrap or a push for the play-offs this term and Salford City are in the latter. Eight points off the top seven going into Saturday’s fixture.
Manager
Gary Bowyer
Salford’s was third manager of the 2020/21 season, Gary Bowyer is now at the helm. The 49-year-old came into the Peninsular Stadium just weeks after Richie Wellens guided the Ammies to Papa John’s Trophy success.
Bowyer joined 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.
Stadium
- Name: Peninsular Stadium
- Capacity: 5,108
- Year opened: 1979
- Record Attendance: 4,518 (v Leeds United, League Cup 1st Round, 13th August 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
Brandon Thomas-Asante
Leading the charts with eight strikes Thomas-Asante has been the brightest spark in an otherwise average Salford set-up this season.
Prone to a yellow card, Brandon really puts himself about across the top end of the pitch and his pace in behind has seen him profit this term.
At only 23, Thomas-Asante has a bright future ahead of him but hopefully for City, the former Milton Keynes Dons striker doesn’t rekindle his scoring form on Saturday.
Head to Head
Exeter are unbeaten against Salford City in all four games played between the sides.
Exeter City wins: 3
Draws: 1
Salford City Wins: 0
Recent encounters
Salford City 1 Exeter City 2 | Sky Bet League Two | Peninsular Stadium | October 30, 2021
Jake Caprice forced an own goal with the last kick of the game as the Grecians stole all three points back in October.
Exeter City 1 Salford City 0 | Sky Bet League Two | St James Park | March 28, 2021
Matt Jay found the net in a cagey affair at the Park.
Salford City 2 Exeter City 2 | League Two | Peninsular Stadium | August 12, 2020
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.
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.