I've just watched a non league football match that will live long into the memory, for anyone who watched it & was there. That was Salford City first FA Cup 1st round match against Notts County & founder member to the Football League also The Worlds Oldest League club. They had the likes of 38 year old keeper & Northern Ireland Legend Roy Carroll, ex Leeds & Manchester United Alan Smith & joint top scorer in last seasons FA Cup with 5 goals Jon Stead. Salford on the other hand had a Gas Man in defence in Chris Lynch, this tough defender on match days has hardly any sleep, as after the matches he has a quick shower then pops off to work filling gas bottles. Paul Scholes on of the owners has quoted in saying “This lad would tackle a transit van.”
Others in the team are Physio's in the Manchester Hospitals, Students and footballers go to job fitness instructors. As I watched this match it was hard to see who were the professional team, as Salford City pressed a high tempo match for around 90% of the match. Most of the Manchester side had been working that day & they made sure Notts County time there was going to be tough. Even owner Gary Neville ordered the pitches width be scaled down, they had a game plan and they stuck to it by the letter.
Over time clubs from the football leagues are going to fear coming to places like Moor Lane as non league team are becoming more organised and long may it continue.
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