Opposition fans back from the game - 24/25 page 225 onwards

[Whore Jackie]

Only realised recently just how far from Salford the Peninsula Stadium actually is. Old Trafford and the Etihad are practically the same distance away, whereas I'd assumed they'd just be over the water from OT.

[From Despair To Where?]

Arguably Oldham have been that third club because geographically they've been the North East side of Manchester as opposed to United in the West and City in the south. Potentially Stockport to the South as well (not forgetting Bury and Rochdale).

Surely it's no coincidence that their slide down the leagues coincided with them getting relegated the year Sky's money entering the game.

I'm honestly not sure what scope there is for Salford to get an bigger than they are now.

[Dirk Gently]

I find it interesting that FC United did their climb up the league which basically falters the moment Salford come along.

It that causal, or just coincidence? I'd say that FCUM have just about reached the level that their size and funding model allows; the level where the next step up is a whole lot larger.

[Clyde1998]

I find it interesting that FC United did their climb up the league which basically falters the moment Salford come along.

It that causal, or just coincidence? I'd say that FCUM have just about reached the level that their size and funding model allows; the level where the next step up is a whole lot larger.

I don't know, but looking at their crowds and they've declined from their peak.

Their seventh tier seasonal crowds have been:

1. 2008-09 - 2,152 (6th)
2. 2009-10 - 1,954 (13th)
3. 2010-11 - 1,966 (4th)
4. 2011-12 - 1,947 (6th)
5. 2012-13 - 1,849 (3rd)
6. 2013-14 - 1,944 (2nd)
7. 2014-15 - 2,155 (1st)
8. 2019-20 - 1,668 (2nd)
9. 2020-21 - Covid affected (13th)
10. 2021-22 - 1,795 (9th)
11. 2022-23 - 1,731 (8th)
12. 2023-24 - 1,681 (14th)
13. 2024-25 - 1,667 (17th)
14. 2025-26 - 1,625 (3rd)

A club like Salford perhaps has greater potential, as FC United are effectively limited to nominal Man Utd supporters and FC United were formed within a very specific context, which is slowly becoming less and less relevant.

[Dirk Gently]

A club like Salford perhaps has greater potential, as FC United are effectively limited to nominal Man Utd supporters and FC United were formed within a very specific context, which is slowly becoming less and less relevant.

I'd say the potential of both is limited more by funding.

FCUM are trust-owned and member-funded, and won't go into debt (except maybe for capital purchases like the stadium).

Salford have rich benefactors (even though these have recently changed) so there's no-limit to their potential funding and potential league position - but they made a £5.4 million loss in the year ending June 2024 which suggest their league position is too high for their income levels.

So one club has a much higher potential for league success, while the other has a much higher potential for still being in existence in ten years time...

[PieEater]

Only realised recently just how far from Salford the Peninsula Stadium actually is. Old Trafford and the Etihad are practically the same distance away, whereas I'd assumed they'd just be over the water from OT.

I was going to do a game at Salford, thinking it would be walkable from either Salford Central or Salford Crescent. Wrong, it's a 30min-40min bus ride from Salford Central, a real pain to get to unless you drive.