Class of ’92 fully invested in Salford City, says Nicky Butt

On the pitch, plans begin immediately for the 2024-25 campaign with Salford looking to compete at the other end of the table under the experienced Robinson.

After losing to Stockport on penalties in the play-off semi-final 12 months ago, Butt was optimistic that the team would kick on.

Instead, they ended up flirting with relegation in an uncomfortable campaign with former MK Dons and Oxford United boss Robinson brought in to steady the ship.

And Butt is strident in his belief that promotion should again be the aim for next season.

“Absolutely,” Butt said.

“Every year the manager comes in, the players, we talk to them about expectations.

“No-one is saying if we don’t get promotion it’s all going to change.

“It’s a tough league but you have to have the right mentality to go and get promotion, that’s what the fans want, us as owners, the managers, the players, the sponsors.

“We expected to go one better this season. Was the squad better? It turned out not to be the case.

“We wanted to get promotion, we’re an ambitious ownership group, hopefully ambitious players, and everything we do we get laughed at because I said promotion, but if you don’t go into a season wanting promotion you may as well quit.”