Darren Moore’s side will be backed by more than 1,300 Valiants on Saturday as we kick off our League Two campaign with a trip to the Peninsula Stadium to take on Salford City.
The hard work hasn’t stopped at Vale Park over the summer as eleven new faces have joined the football club. The summer additions include some familiar faces such as Connor Hall and Sam Hart who have both returned to the club.
Experienced EFL players like Jayden Stockley, Ben Amos and Ronan Curtis have also joined the Valiants. Along with Stockley, Darren Moore has added strikers, Ruari Paton and Lorent Tolaj, to his attacking ranks, whilst midfielders, Ryan Croasdale and George Byers, have also come into the club to add experience to the midfield.
GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
Looking ahead to Saturday’s opening game, Here’s what the gaffer had to say:
“It’s a fabulous game for both teams. I think League Two has showcased itself in terms of the acquisitions that all teams have made to their squads to try and improve them.
"I think it’s a wonderful game for both Salford and ourselves as an opening game of the season for both sets of players and for both sets of fans.”
Darren Moore also spoke about how the club's summer signings have settled into the club:
“I think we’ve got a lovely blend to our team. The experienced boys are excellent, the young players feel like there working in an environment where they can go and express themselves and be part of it and I think that’s really, really important and that’s credit to the boys, the way they’ve integrated with each other and got that full respect of each other and understand the qualities that the individuals bring to the team.”
THE OPPOSITION
Saturday’s opposition Salford City come into the new campaign looking to improve on their 20th-place finish last season.
The Ammies have added eleven new faces to their squad in a bid to strengthen their side. The additions include forward Cole Stockton, former Liverpool winger Ben Woodburn and experienced Centre back James Chester. They have also lost a few key players with Matt Smith, Theo Vassell, Stevie Mallen and Alex Cairns all departing the football club.
Not only did the playing staff change in the summer, but Salford also had a restructure at the top with Gary Neville acquiring Peter Lim’s interest in the club. Lim played a huge part in Salford’s meteoric rise up the leagues over the past ten years.
In the 2023/24 season, Salford had the second-worst home record with only relegated Forest Green Rovers picking up less points at home than the Ammies. In the 23 games Salford played at the Peninsula Stadium they managed to pick up 23 points which came in the form of five wins and eight draws.
WHO’S IN CHARGE? – Karl Robinson
Former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson is in charge of Salford City after he took the reins in January 2024 following the departure of Neil Wood. The former Kidsgrove Athletic player joined the football club after leaving Leeds United where he was part of the their first team coaching staff.
Robinson didn’t have the greatest start to life as Salford City manager as he was sent off in his dugout debut against Forest Green Rovers after just 14 minutes when he interfered with a throw-in.
His side went on to draw the game 2-2 which earned Robinson his first point out of 28 that he would pick in the 2023/24 season.
Karl Robinson is joined in the dugout by Alex Bruce which further strengthens the link between Salford City and Manchester United.
PLAYER TO WATCH – Cole Stockton
Stockton joined the club in the summer after leaving Burton Albion in what was a tough spell at the Pirelli Stadium. The striker joined Barrow on loan in January and had a bright second half of the season where he would score seven goals in 17 appearances for the Bluebirds. Prior to last season, Stockton had a four-year spell at Morecambe which included a prolific season where he scored 26 goals in 50 games.
A couple of other notable inclusions in the Salford squad are former Liverpool winger Ben Woodburn who was represented Wales 11 times and is also Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer after he scored against Leeds United when he was 17 years and 45 days old.
The Ammies also have experienced defender James Chester in their ranks. He has played for clubs such as Aston Villa, Stoke City, Hull City and West Brom.
