Football Season Guide

Salford City’s stellar rise up the English pyramid shows no signs of stopping as they taste league football for the first time in their history. Whether you’re seduced by the romanticism of the Ammies story rather depends on your perspective and the financial muscle provided by Manchester United’s Class of ’92 proved too much for their National League rivals, albeit with promotion sealed by beating AFC Flyde in a play-off final at Wembley. It was personal triumph for manager Graham Alexander, who took the step down into Football League in the hope of climbing straight back up. The association with some the Red Devils stars makes the club darlings of the media and the spotlight will be on them as they take their first steps in the league. Alexander has added to his squad with defender Oscar Threlkeld and midfielder Richie Towell the stand-out signings; both of whom could have found clubs in League One. Striker Matt Green’s move to Grimsby Town was something of a surprise but otherwise Alexander has largely stuck with the same squad which won promotion. The squad is packed with players who have Football League experience, including the likes of striker and leading goalscorer Adam Rooney. They will head into the new season undaunted as they target a fifth promotion in six years.