Pic: David Simpson
SALFORD CITY have made their intentions for next season clear – signing defenders Danny Livesey and Liam Hogan, both captains of National League sides last season.
The Ammies, backed financially by the Class of 92 and Singapore business magnate Peter Lim, missed out on a third successive promotion, falling to FC Halifax Town in the National League North play-offs.
City announced back in March that the players and management staff would go full-time next term as they look to get out one of the most competitive divisions in Non-League.
And they have already started gearing up for the 2017-18 campaign, adding two central defenders from Non-League’s top tier.
Hogan made 47 appearances for Gateshead last term and was named the club’s Player of the Season after plenty of impressive performances at the heart of the Heed defence.
He’s not the only National League captain opting to drop down, however. Livesey arrives having been surprisingly released by Barrow after the 32-year-old picked up five awards at the club’s end of season presentation evening.
Hogan, 28, has signed a three-year deal with Salford after rejecting a new Gateshead contract while Livesey has put pen to paper on a two-year stay.
Hogan said: “I’m a local boy, originally from Irlam, and I used to teach at the school next door to the ground. I wanted to come back to my roots.
“I’d love to win the Conference North. I’ve been promoted before through the play-offs and it would be nice to go up as champions – that’s first on my checklist.”
Livesey added: “I’m originally from Salford and have seen what has happened at the club over the last two years. People are talking about Salford City and there’s a real buzz around the club which was something I wanted to be a part of.”
