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View from the the Away End: Salford

October 23rd 2021Noah Dougherty

This season, we're asking the fans of visiting clubs to give their thoughts ahead of each game at The Fully Charged New Lawn. What better way is there to get an insight than from the people who travel the country following their team each week?

We spoke to Salford City fan, Sheila Smith to find out a little more about the Ammies:

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as a Salford City fan.

Salford-City-Sheila-Smith

I’m Sheila, I’m 61 years old, I live in Northamptonshire but originate from Cheshire. I’m a Business Consultant and Exhibition Manager.

So why do I support Salford City FC?

It all started with the Class of ‘92 documentary, I watched it over and over and I fell in love with the club and the people right there and followed from afar for a while, then one day in January 2018 I saw that Salford were coming to play Brackley Town (they lost 2-1) and that was my first Salford 'away’ game'. I proudly called myself a Salford fan after that day.

And those people, I call them Salford Royalty, have taken me to their hearts and welcomed me into their club like I’ve always been there. It’s humbling, its awesome and I love them right back.

My love of football started as a youngster, it reminds me of my Dad. He used to take me to watch Everton FC when I was little, in the glory days of Alan Ball, Joe Royle, Gordon West in goal.

I have had a season ticket at Salford for two years now and you’ll find me at most Midlands away games, most recently at Walsall. I always make a huge effort to get to Season Ticket Holder’s meetings too, I figure that there’s little point in having a season ticket unless you’re willing to give a little of yourself for the good of the club, it’s much more that match day for me.

What are your thoughts on the season so far?

The start of this season has been mixed, we’ve had massive highs and crashing lows. I feel that the team has yet to gel, but the clock is ticking and we have to raise our game to play with more consistency. Do that and we’re unstoppable, look how far we’ve come already!

What do you think are the club's biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Salford-City-Gary-Neville

Ask anyone in football about our greatest strength and they will tell you it’s the Class of ‘92's financial backing an high profile, but that could also be our greatest weakness.

Comments about having no history, although wide of the mark, are not going away. We have to just keep on keeping on and prove those jokers wrong.

Who do you think is Salford's star player?

My absolute stand-out star player is our number three, the award-winning Ibou Touray.

Without fail he can be relied on to turn up every week and do his job. He's been behind some cracking assists and scored some glorious goals, our secret weapon on the the left wing and yes, I have picked up on his links to Everton FC, but I don't want to say any more in case someone steals him away.

He was away on International duty when we played Walsall and I’m sure that’s why we lost - just saying.

How do you think this afternoon's game will go?

Our game today at Forest Green will be a challenge, no doubt about it.

FGR are flying high at the top of the league and we would be lucky to come away with three points like we did last time we played them.

Forest Green are a very different team now, so I predict a final score of 2-2.

What are your hopes for the season?

Salford-City-huddle

I wouldn’t be much of a fan if I didn’t want us to power up through League Two and win promotion at the end of the season, of course I want that!

But I also want us to be ready for that and we certainly don’t want to do a Northampton Town and yo-yo between the two.

I hope that we finish in a respectable position, a position worthy enough of a club with no history at all ;)

Thanks for inviting me to share my story!

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