`We are Tangerine…We are Tangerine!!!'
As members of the Salford City FC conglomerate help out with Manchester United's managerial problems at the moment – Ryan Giggs in the hot seat, along with Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes – disquiet is growing at Moor Lane with apparent plans by them to change the Ammies tangerine club colours to the red and white of Old Trafford.
The Class of '92 conglomerate of Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, are fast becoming associated at Moor Lane with Cardiff City's owner Vincent Tan, who changed the Bluebird's shirts from blue to red.
"I've yet to meet one person who is happy with us playing in red and white" says one long term Salford City fan "The change of colours doesn't sit well with me at all because we have a tradition of playing in tangerine and everyone identifies it with us. It's a unique combination; it makes us stand out from other clubs
"Everyone is proud of their own colours, it's like going to war with your flag and for someone to just come in and change it is bad" he explains "What's more galling is that we're going to be adopting Manchester United colours which doesn't sit comfortably with me one little bit.
"We're not Manchester United, we're Salford City FC" he adds "For years we've been going on about having our own identity as a city and not being part of Manchester. Now we'll be looked on as a clone of a Manchester side. And that's two Manchester sides - Manchester United and FC United of Manchester. I'd be more comfortable if they said `We don't like your colours, we'd like you to change' and put it to the supporters, or change it to something that would be more acceptable to everyone."
"I'm totally not in favour" says another long term worker at the club "I like the identity we've got rather than taking somebody else's", while others added that "The colours should stay" and "They should stick to tangerine".
Every supporter spoken to by the Salford Star at Prescot Cables yesterday for the last game of the season was adamant that they wouldn't buy or wear the red shirts if they are imposed.
Even current manager Phil Power acknowledged that the potential colour change could be a problem…
"Me coming from Salford and being a United fan, I always thought, before becoming associated with Salford City, `Why do Salford not play in red?'" he recalled "Obviously now I'm a bit more au fait with Salford and the tangerine I understand that is a delicate area."
Gary Neville is set to meet regular supporters this week to try and smooth over the cracks that have appeared since news of the Class of '92 acquisition of the club. And the cracks go further than any possible change of club colours.
Supporters are angry that there was no consultation with them over the takeover, that there were press reports – since denied – of a change of name and stadium. The views were represented by Paul Mac's `A View From The Crowd' page in a recent Salford City match programme…
"Last week's…story…read more like an act of terrorism from the Gang of Five than a takeover of a small club by a group of multi-millionaires. The proposal to change the name of the club to Salford '92 was egotistical, the move to the white elephant AJ Bell Stadium suicidal…
"…Fears have been assuaged (for now) by the club stating there will be no change of name, colours or ground (for now), but the initial story left me feeling as helpless, unwanted and angry as a Ukrainian living in Crimea…regardless of any success, without your identity you have nothing…" (see full Salford Star article – click here)
While people around Salford City generally welcome the investment brought by Neville, Giggs et al, they are worried that, what was once a small, friendly, family club is already changing beyond recognition.
It is common knowledge that the takeover wasn't agreed unanimously by the club's committee and one member told the Star… "I think it's a shame because the club we have is going to be destroyed and the new entity will be a completely different footballing outfit.
"I like the non-league game" he added "We all want to do well but I would have liked us to do it by developing on and off the pitch rather than somebody coming in and bunging the money in to take us forward. It's going to change us, and it may be better for the City of Salford, but as far as Salford City FC goes, I think it's far from fine…"
Meanwhile, other committee members aren't happy with the chairperson this season, alienating, they say, those who have toiled for years to keep the club alive both financially and practically. They agree with supporters that the Class of '92 takeover and much more besides has been handled badly by the current regime.
"I don't have a problem with the takeover if everything was geared towards the ground and the team" says a fan "but they definitely should have consulted the supporters and kept us informed. Everybody knows everybody here - well we thought we did, until this!"
Another supporter added: "In principle I'm happy with the takeover because it's a fabulous opportunity. We were in the North West Counties league for around 25 years, and for six seasons mid table every season in the First Division of the EvoStik league. Unless we have some sort of investment then we're always going to be a mid table side based on the crowds that we have, and in the shadows of all the other teams. But the change of colours doesn't sit well with me at all…"
Although there is no proof, there is a feeling amongst many that the acquisition of Salford City by the Class of '92 isn't about millionaire footballers putting something back into the community, which is the PR spin – but, instead, is a hard nosed business decision to found a nursery club for Manchester United that plays in the lower leagues.
While Barcelona and Real Madrid have such clubs in Spain, in England such clubs are currently not allowed. And while Neville, Giggs et al are not officially Manchester United, the associations obviously run deep. The stated aim of the conglomerate to fast track Salford City up the league pyramid certainly fits this model.
But like many have said, Salford City FC has its own identity and its own history which is in danger of being destroyed. As one supporter noted "I already have a league team I support, and it's not Manchester United. Salford City is my non-league team."
Whatever the views of supporters and committee members, one thing is clear – that the current era of Salford City FC ended at the final whistle at Prescot Cables yesterday.
For the record, Salford City - ironically playing in their light blue away shirts - lost the meaningless match 1-3, with Ammies coach and non-league legend Stuart Rudd making a subs appearance to head the goal and record his own slice of history, scoring in his 18th consecutive season. The result ensured that Salford City FC finished in the club's usual mid table 12th place.
"I'm a little bit disappointed" admitted manager Phil Power after the match "But on the other hand, at the time when we were getting it all together we lost Batts [Mark Battersby who went to Stockport County] and Rio [moved abroad], who were the only ones scoring goals for us. It was a big blow losing them both so close together. And we did really struggle then to attract anyone to come.
"On the flip side" he added "when we've been good we've been good and when we've been bad we've been terrible! I think that sums our season up. That's just shown at the minute that the level of player we attract cannot give us the consistency that is required to be in the top half of the table."
With everything set to change next season, Phil was being diplomatic surrounding any controversy over the takeover, preferring to concentrate on the playing riches he's about to be handed.
"I think it's exciting times for Salford City FC" he said "When I've had meetings with the lads [Giggs, Neville et al], they're going to give me all the resources and facilities that haven't been available to me this year which haven't been available to 99% of EvoStik clubs. So for me as a manager it's giving me a better opportunity to be successful."
Up until now, however, Salford City has always been the underdog, struggling against teams from one horse towns, one horse hills and one horse villages. All of a sudden comparisons will be made with Chelski and Manchester Sheiky…
"I think anything that's successful attracts a bit of envy and that will be my biggest challenge, getting players that are going to be ready for the fight, because every game is going to be a cup final for opposing teams" he explained "So it's alright saying `Sign him and sign him because he's a talented player', but players are going have to be physically and mentally strong for every game. We're going to be a scalp for every team we play. It's alright saying we're going to have better resources but we need to be strong when it comes to a Saturday. Roll up our sleeves and battle."
The pressure will certainly be on Phil Power to deliver next season, like no other Salford City manager in history. But his job for next season is secure – he thinks…
"If Giggsy gets the United job he might let me stay here" he joked "But if he doesn't he might need a job, so I might be on my way…"
The bittersweet Salford City symphony is about to begin…
To give your views on the takeover, fill in the comment box below or join the debate on Salford City FC fans forum - click here
* Salford City's well deserved Player of the Year was Aaron Walters, while super supporter Richard Kedzior got his annual Award for attending twenty zillion consecutive games
** Main image shows mock up of how Salford City player Lee Hodgkinson may look playing for the Ammies `Reds' next season
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