Salford City joint manager Anthony Johnson has spoken of his excitement ahead of his side’s historic FA Cup first round tie against Notts County tonight.
The Moor Lane side could scale their own Everest with a win against the Nottinghamshire side, who play three divisions above the Ammies in League Two.
In an interview with the FA’s website, the former Ramsbottom boss revealed that there was a real buzz around the club as they prepare to make their first ever appearance in the First Round of the iconic competition.
“It is massive for the local community and it is just a bit of a shame that the capacity is only 1,400,” said Johnson.
“I have no doubt that we could have sold 10,000 tickets.
“I just hope we can do ourselves justice,” he said.
Last season’s top scorer Gareth Seddon is out, along with right-back Dom Smalley, but Salford City are likely to name an side similar to that which drew at Matlock.
With County bringing an estimated 400 fans to Moor Lane and the game live on BBC Two, the match will really give football fans the world over a chance to see what Salford City can do.
Their opponents cheekily tweeted this afternoon: “The Class Of 1862 have left Meadow Lane and are en route to Salford City and their Class Of 92. Safe journey to everyone travelling today!”
Sadly tickets for tonight’s historic game sold out in under four hours – but if you’re one of the thousands left disappointed, SalfordOnline.com are running a liveblog from 7pm with all the build-up, pictures, video and minute-by-minute match commentary.
The turnstiles open at 6.30pm and kick-off is at 7.55pm.
The club last week had their 18-game winning away streak come to an end as they lost 2-1 to Nantwich Town in the FA Trophy.
As Phil Neville told BBC Sport: “I’m sure it will be a packed crowd under the lights at Moor Lane on Friday night and we’re all hoping to be there to cheer the boys on.”
“Notts County will obviously start as favourites, but it’s the FA Cup and anything can happen.”
The Ammies have already played six games to get to this stage, defeating Whitby, Bradford Park Avenue (after replays), Curzon Ashton and Southport.
And with four wins in their last six games in all competitions, the home side will go into the game full of confidence.
Nevertheless, manager Johnson has remained focused in the build up to the tie, and revealed the sacrifices he has made in order to prepare for the game against the side 15th in League Two.
“I booked two days off work,” said Johnson, a wagon driver by trade.
“We have had that many videos to go through and reports to scour. You want to show them the respect they deserve by doing your homework.”
It’s this kind of professionalism and dedication that has seen Salford City achieve so much in the past year. And Johnson, the man at the helm at for most of the recent successes, is on a predictable high ahead of the live FA Cup tie.
“We have been here nine or ten months, we have won the league and we are in the first round of The FA Cup,” Johnson concluded.
“At the moment we are on the top of Everest.”
If the teams draw there’ll be no extra time but instead a replay where Salford head to Notts Country’s Meadow Lane ground on Tuesday 17 November.
Salford City’s match against Notts County is live on BBC Two from 7.30pm.
Additional reporting by Richard Amofa
Main image by Charlotte Tattersall
