SALFORD CITY joint-bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have signed two-year full-time deals as the Ammies prepare to become a professional club in the summer.
With the backing of part owners Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, Johnson and Morley have transformed City since joining from Ramsbottom United in January 2015.
The duo have guided the club to two consecutive promotions from Step 4 to Step 2 and they are in the hunt again as they currently sit second in the National League North.
With the club’s ambitious Class of ’92 owners wanting to take the club as far as possible, the decision has been made to become a full-time outfit.
Johnson and Morley have signed two-year contracts that will kick in on April 1 while the playing squad will become full-time on July 1, regardless of the division the club are playing in next season.
The Ammies will be hoping to start life as a professional club in Non-League‘s top flight although it looks like they will have to go through the play-offs to achieve it.
While they are second in the National League North, they currently sit 11 points adrift of leaders AFC Fylde – who went full-time themselves this past summer.
Johnson told the club’s website: “The opportunity we’ve been given is beyond our wildest dreams. To be doing this so early in our careers is fabulous – we’re ecstatic to have agreed this deal and are buzzing.”
Morley added “I’m not ashamed to say how I feel – we’ve worked hard and done well and we’re both made up.
“This is a massive opportunity – when we set out to do something we want to do it well and are looking forward to pushing the club on even further.”
