London: Salford City, owned by members of Manchester United’s famous Class of 92, will make their maiden appearance in the first round of the FA Cup against Notts County.
United legends Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who all won the FA Cup in their illustrious Old Trafford playing careers, have helped revive the fortunes of the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier side since buying them last year.
Now they will be back in the FA Cup spotlight after Monday’s draw paired their seventh tier non-league outfit against fourth tier Notts County, who won the competition in 1894, at Moor Lane on the weekend of November 6-9.
Asked for his thoughts about the draw on Twitter, Gary Neville, who now works as a television pundit and a member of England’s coaching staff, responded: “Delighted! A big game at Moor Lane!”
Neville also responded to a tweet from Notts County’s official account, suggesting Salford will need to make some changes to be ready for the encounter.
“How many fans do you have travelling? We need more toilets and burger vans!” he tweeted.
Salford average around 500 fans for their home games, although there were 1,019 present for the win over Southport in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round last weekend.
“I’m delighted for everybody at the club for all the work that’s been put in,” Salford striker Danny Webber said after the draw on BBC Two.
“It was important we got a league club and it will be great for the lads to pit their wits against a league club to see where we stand.
“It’s exciting for everybody at Salford.”
Salford’s neighbours FC United of Manchester, founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters who had grown disillusioned with the Premier League club’s owners the Glazer family, also made it to the first round.
Currently playing in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, FC United have an opportunity to cause an upset after being handed a home tie against third tier Chesterfield.
