Ale Moreno has commended the notable contributions of Antoine Semenyo at Manchester City, especially after his impressive performance that included a goal and an assist in their recent victory over Fulham.
Meanwhile, Salford City is aspiring to position itself as the “best small club in the world by 2030.” The EFL League Two club is embarking on a rebranding strategy inspired by David Beckham, who has a stake in the club, to enhance its global recognition. Salford’s upcoming FA Cup fourth-round match against Manchester City provides a brief moment in the international limelight for the club, which had suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat in their previous encounter last season.
As part of their rebranding initiative, Salford will revert to the traditional orange-and-black colors next season, a move that aims to honor the club’s heritage. This decision follows a period where the club adopted red, white, and black colors similar to those of Manchester United, which was met with mixed reactions from fans. Beckham acknowledged that this previous color choice may have been a misstep, noting the importance of a team’s identity, as seen with Inter Miami’s distinctive pink jerseys.
Since the takeover in 2014 by Beckham, Gary Neville, and the Class of ’92, Salford City has achieved significant success, including four promotions to reach EFL status in 2019. With the intention to reconnect with their roots, the club held a vote among its season ticket holders, resulting in a resounding 77.1% in favor of changing back to orange and black, while 72% supported a redesign of the team badge. The new colors and crest are set to debut in the 2026-27 season.
Gavin Fleig, the club’s CEO, emphasized the rationale behind the rebranding. The decision to shift back to the historical colors aims to cement Salford’s identity apart from Manchester United. Fleig added that Beckham’s ventures, particularly his influence on branding, have been instrumental in shaping Salford City’s new look, collaborating with a branding agency that also designed Inter Miami’s logo.
Despite a recent setback with a defeat to Accrington Stanley, which slightly delayed their promotion aspirations, Salford remains hopeful and is maintaining its focus on climbing the ranks of the English Football League. The club’s ambition is to develop a pathway that could lead to Championship status and even potential Premier League prospects in the near future.
Looking ahead, both Neville and Beckham are optimistic that the new branding will attract a broader audience. Neville humorously mentioned that while the goal isn’t specifically to win over Manchester City fans, any unintentional gains in support from nearby fans would be welcomed. With their sights set high, Salford City continues to work towards making their mark in the football landscape.