Before the feted Manchester United class of ’92 arrived, even the offer of a free pint wasn’t enough to attract anyone to watch Salford City .
Chairman Karen Baird, dealing with attendances barely reaching 250, hit on the brainwave of offering fans the opportunity to exchange a voucher for a beer once they had entered the ground.
There were no takers.
But today, in a Vanarama National League semi-final against Eastleigh, the redeveloped Peninsula Stadium will be rocking, and close to its 5,000 capacity. And for Messrs Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and David Beckham, who each hold a 10 per cent share in the club, a trip to Wembley beckons next Saturday if they can beat the Hampshire side.
Salford’s triumphant journey to stand just two games away from the Football League has come against a backdrop of jealousy and dislike from other clubs and their supporters.
It’s a fact acknowledged by Gary Neville , a constant driving force behind the Ammies’ three promotions in four seasons since the United old boys took over the club with business partner Peter Lim in 2014.
England defender turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: “You get a lot of, ‘Can’t wait until you get out of this league — you’re ruining it.’
“Every time we go away, it feels like there’s a team that is anxious to beat you, a crowd that desperately wants to see us lose. It doesn’t bother me, it can act as an inspiration. But the idea that we’re ruining non-League is just ridiculous.”
The envy comes from the money being pumped into the club in an attempt to match the ambition of a group of ex-footballers who have only known success in their careers.
“Look at Jack Walker and what he did at Blackburn,” added Neville. “He’s lauded as a great pioneer, someone who loved his local club and invested some of his money in it.
"That’s no different to what we are doing.”
Hartlepool boss Craig Hignett, whose side beat Salford 3-2 last weekend, said: “It’s frightening that there are teams in this league spending what sides in the EFL League One would generally spend.”
Salford paid agents £76,338, according to latest figures for deals between February 2018 to January 31 this year. It’s also believed that striker Adam Rooney is being paid around £4,000 a week – but the former Aberdeen star has responded with 21 goals from 34 starts.
Manager Graham Alexander knows his side has to deliver. He said: “We know we have the talent, we know we have the ambition within the squad. We’ve got to bring all these things together.”
If he does, the drinks will be on the Ammies – and this time there will be plenty of fans indulging.
