A new three-part documentary series commissioned by the BBC will be following the story of ex Manchester United stars, the Class of ‘92 – as they prepare to get stuck in with Salford City F.C.
Salford Dreams United follows Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, as they face their biggest challenge since winning the Treble.
They have taken on Salford City F.C, a neighbourhood club with an average crowd of just 150 and mid-placed in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, eight rungs down from the Premiership.
The documentary series was commissioned by BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore and Maxine Watson, Commissioning Editor BBC Documentaries and will air on BBC One later this year. It will be executive produced by Electric Ray’s managing directors, Meredith Chambers and Karl Warner and Maxine Watson for the BBC.
Charlotte Moore says: “It’s a real coup to give BBC One viewers such extraordinary access through this new documentary series, which follows the story of these famous ex-Manchester United players and football heroes. It’s a window into a passionate local community, as this club has a chance to be part of a bigger playing field and realise their dreams.”
Meredith Chambers says: “This series promises to be fascinating. Every Saturday at a small ground in Salford, people with so many different dreams and passions come together for 90 minutes – now they will be joined by some of the biggest names in world football. Right now at this local club it feels like anything could happen.”
Between them the five legendary footballers will be getting involved with every aspect of the club, from doubling the grass-seed budget to turning up to training sessions – Phil Neville’s even offered to make the tea at half time. They will have to work alongside the Salford fans and a 15-strong committee who are passionate about their local club – and while plans to renovate the ground, re-fit the toilets and build barman Buck a new clubhouse will prove popular, the club’s decision to change the colour of the strip from red to orange has split some of their loyal followers.
Despite their high profile day-jobs, the famous five footballers dream of turning Salford City F.C in to a new model for all football clubs – rooted in the community, discovering untapped talent, and turning local players into heroes. Meanwhile, the big Salford characters who run the club are hoping that their fortunes are about to change after years of struggling to survive.
Can the Class of ‘92 really breathe new life into the 75 year-old club and turn it in to a thriving team? And with a vocal and passionate local community to contend with, will the people of Salford take them and their audacious plan to their hearts?
This defies belief. If you think they have the best interest of Salford City at heart you must also believe in father christmas. They have behaved the same way as many other football owners, barging in, changing tradition, including the club’s colours, they sacked the Salford born and raised manager when the club were only two points from the top, replacing him with a pal of one of the Nevilles,depleting Ramsbottom’s team by taking a chunk of their squad. Hopefully you will cover the vested interest of Giggs who is not a person of good character (ask Rhodri, how can he be assistant manager of MUFC and own a stake in another club, what happens if Salford reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup next year and draw MUFC?
If you want to focus on community there are plenty of local non league clubs who already do what these former players claim to be doing (community focus?). It won’t be long before Salford City are playing at the AJ Bell stadium and Moor Lane has been sold to a housing developer. If you want to create an article of a football club being run differently cast your eyes towards North Manchester where the owners (the fans) of FC United of Manchester are building a new stadium, focussing on the community, including the people who are normally treated as outcasts, where there are no adverts on the shirts and where the players aren’t just there for the money.
In essence, stop pandering to the nouveau riche and focus on the ordinary football fans who have been priced away from the game by these preening overpaid former heroes.