I know I’ve said this before, but I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched the Salford City documentary. In fact, I rewatched the whole thing when the new season came out recently!
The Salford City Documentary (‘The Class of 92: Full Time)
Nestled in the heart of Salford, a city steeped in history and culture, is the dynamic force that is Salford City FC. The recently released documentary, a tribute to the club’s journey, offers a compelling narrative that transcends the boundaries of sports storytelling.
Which started with the brilliantly raw ‘Out of Their League’ docuseries, which showcased the good, the bad and the ugly of a club attempt to ascend through the ranks of non-league football in England.
From its humble beginnings to the present-day League Two struggles, the Salford City documentary offers a cinematic journey that celebrates the club’s remarkable evolution during this period.
A journey which would be pretty boring without the right cast members.
Personal Narratives and Player Profiles
One of the documentary’s standout features is its intimate portrayal of the players, staff and board members who have been integral to Salford City FC’s ascent through the football pyramid.
Through in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers get an up-close and personal look at the passion, dedication, and camaraderie that define the team.
A feature that shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us who watches him, is Gary Neville.
Described as the ‘driving force’ behind the club’s development since taking over almost a decade ago by one of his other Class of 92 friends, Gary’s natural flair for the outspoken (in the longest form possible) is a welcome note in a sporting world which is usually so secretive and silent.
Not only is he liberal with a lot of what went on behind ‘The Ammies‘ during his tenure as CEO, but he’s also pretty shameless and open with some of his learnings and mistakes throughout this journey.
I’m struggling to think of another football documentary – despite having gone through a lot of them here – that is as refreshingly honest as this one is.
On top of this, the idiosyncratic natures of people like Anthony Johnson, Bernard Morley, Gareth Seddon and Brandon Thomas-Asante gives the viewer somebody to either root for or hate. And that’s the essence of art isn’t it? Not to be good or bad, but to invoke some kind of emotion.
Insight into Coaching and Recruitment
Interviews with the coaching staff and key figures behind the scenes offer valuable insights into the strategic decisions, training methods, and leadership philosophies that have propelled them.
This adds a layer of depth to the storytelling, making it an insightful watch for both football enthusiasts and those intrigued by the intricacies of team and man-management. Spoiler alert, sometimes a lot of the managers and players don’t get along… and it’s all captured by the Sky cameras!
And for people like me who love the recruitment side of football, it’s almost unparalleled!
Whilst they’re unable to delve much into the players they tried to get and didn’t, they are still very open about some of those stories, and especially the reality of recruiting in modern day football.
Dealing with agents, breathless negotiations, stupid asking prices, the expectations of people who are on the outside vs within – it’s a fascinating duel to watch when you’re not sucked up in it all!
The Salford City Documentary even showed a full-length pitch negotiation with signing a new loan player in Louie Barry. Where the viewer is (quite literally) a fly on their wall.
It’s Filmed REALLY Well
In today’s day and age, with Mr Beast YouTube videos setting the standard for independent content, it’s imperative that feature-length documentaries are also adhering to that level.
And quite frankly, the Salford City Documentary is a feast for the eyes.
The filmmakers have expertly captured the energy of matchday, the intensity of training sessions, and the electric atmosphere within the stadium with every chance they’ve had.
The cinematography goes beyond the surface, conveying the emotional highs and lows of the game, creating a visual symphony that resonates with viewers. Each frame is meticulously composed, and it meshes in well with some of the more raw footage that we secretly want to see as well.
All in all, I can’t really fault the Salford City documentary from a cinematographic POV.
The soundtrack isn’t half bad either!
Engaging with the Salford Community
An aspect that truly distinguishes Salford City documentary from a lot of the others that are available to watch, is its deep-rooted connection to the community.
Gary Neville often refers to football owners and executives as ‘custodians‘ of a football club than a cold, callous owner. People who have a duty of care to the fans to look after their club, and I’m personally very happy to see him and the rest of the lads’ approach to keeping Salford that way.
Related to this, the documentary pays homage to the club’s heritage, showcasing the unwavering support of the fans and the symbiotic relationship between the team and the local community.
This emphasis on community engagement adds a heartwarming dimension to the narrative, reinforcing the idea that Salford City FC is not a football project seeking to inflate the egos of the project managers, but a true source of pride for the city and its people.
The content on their YouTube channel only seeks to highlight this factor even more!
Summary
Simply put, the Salford City Documentary is a must-watch for football fans
Available right now on Sky, with roughly six (I think) different seasons to sink your teeth into.
Each which is distinctly different from the other; posing their own issues, storylines and moments of triumph that bring to light the real life of following a non-league club on their aspirational journey.
I really hope that a lot of other non-league clubs can follow the examples of Salford, Wrexham and Dulwich Hamlet and put themselves out there a lot more for their fans!
Have you watched the Salford City Documentary yet?