As Newport County prepare to welcome Salford City to Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening, we take a closer look at the Ammies.
Salford City’s Story
Founded in 1940 as Salford Central, the club spent its formative years competing in local leagues before stepping up to the Manchester League in 1963. A defining change came in 1989 when the club rebranded as Salford City, a move that reflected its growing ambition.
A new chapter began in 2014 when Manchester United icons Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham each acquired a 10% stake. Their vision and investment transformed the club’s fortunes, driving Salford’s rapid rise through the football pyramid. That journey reached a milestone in 2019, when the Ammies earned promotion to the English Football League with a commanding 3-0 victory over AFC Fylde in the National League play-off final.
Success followed quickly. The very next year, Salford lifted their first major trophy, the EFL Trophy, beating Portsmouth on penalties in a dramatic final that had been delayed 11 months by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ammies currently sit eighth in League Two, level on points with Swindon Town and Walsall but trailing both on goal difference. Their campaign began with a 3-1 home defeat to current league-leaders Crewe Alexandra, but Salford have bounced back in style, claiming consecutive 2-1 victories over Notts County and Accrington Stanley. In cup action, however, they suffered disappointment, bowing out of the Carabao Cup after a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to League One side Rotherham United.
The Manager
Salford City manager Karl Robinson took charge in January 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience from across the Football League. Born in Rainhill, Merseyside, Robinson enjoyed a lengthy playing career in non-league football, representing clubs such as Bamber Bridge, Marine, and Warrington Town, while also spending time in the League of Wales with Caernarfon Town and Rhyl. Once described as a “big, powerful” striker, he later transitioned into midfield as his career wound down.
Robinson moved into management at just 29 years old, becoming one of the youngest bosses in English football when he took charge of Milton Keynes Dons. During six years at the helm, he guided them to promotion to the Championship in 2015. A short stint at Charlton Athletic followed, before he spent five years with Oxford United, where he earned plaudits for his tactical acumen, twice leading the U’s into the play-offs.
Now at Salford City, Robinson blends his experience with clear ambition, determined to push the Ammies on after narrowly missing out on the play-offs by just a single point last season. His goal is to establish the club as a genuine force in League Two and beyond.
The Captain
Luke Garbutt, Salford City’s 32-year-old captain, brings both experience and pedigree to the Ammies. A product of the renowned youth systems at Leeds United and Everton, he spent nearly a decade at Goodison Park, though opportunities were limited, making just 12 first-team appearances between 2011 and 2020.
Highly rated as a youngster, Garbutt represented England at every youth level, amassing 53 caps. Much of his early senior career came through loan spells across the EFL, featuring for Cheltenham Town, Colchester United, Fulham, Wigan, Oxford United, and Ipswich Town. After leaving Everton in 2020, he joined Blackpool, where he enjoyed three consistent seasons, making 65 appearances and scoring four goals.
Garbutt arrived at Salford City ahead of the 2023-24 season and quickly established himself as a key figure. Following Curtis Tilt’s move to Bradford City, his commitment and leadership across 88 appearances earned him the captain’s armband. He has already justified that responsibility, delivering a standout player-of-the-match performance against Accrington Stanley, capped with a goal.
Key Player
Ben Woodburn
A key attacking threat for Salford City this season is Ben Woodburn, who joined the club at the start of last season after leaving Preston North End in the summer. The versatile forward first rose to prominence at Liverpool, where he became the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer in 2016, netting in a League Cup tie against Leeds United at just 17 years old.
Woodburn went on to earn international recognition with Wales, scoring on his debut against Austria in a crucial World Cup qualifier. His club career has seen him gain experience across the EFL and beyond, with loan spells at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool, and Hearts in Scotland, before a permanent move to Preston in 2022.
Now at Salford City, Woodburn’s creativity, technical quality, and eye for goal add another dimension to the Ammies’ attack, making him a valuable asset as they push for success in League Two having already chipped in with a goal this season from midfield.
