CLASS OF 2018?
Russ Penn catches up with Liam Hogan about Salford City’s National League chances
HE was a key figure at the back for Salford last season as The Ammies built their promotion charge with a series of sterling displays. Here Liam Hogan tells me about what Salford can bring to the National League, and the two gaffers who took them there, Anthony Johnson and Barnard Morley...
‘HOGES’ –YOU’RE BACK IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE AFTER A ONE YEAR SABBATICAL AT SALFORD. IS IT GOOD TO BE BACK?
It feels great to be back in the top division of Non-League football again. It was a sort of relief rather than elation when the full-time whistle went against Boston and we knew it was won, just because I’d been in the Conference North previously with FC Halifax and know very well how difficult the route out of the league is.
SALFORD AND HARROGATE LED THE WAY ALL LAST SEASON. WHAT DO YOU PUT THE PROMOTION DOWN TO?
I think the difference was the more questions were asked about us as a team of players, the more answers were being found. The belief we had as a group never really changed and I think if you ask any of the lads or staff, even at the times when it was neck and neck with Harrogate and Brackley, it was always going to be our season. Look into our results and the amount of last-minute winners, turnarounds from a position we looked to be dropping points – not to mention the Kidderminster game (4-4 but 4-0 down after 80 minutes). These results were no coincidence.
WE AS FANS AND PLAYERS ONLY SEE IT FROM THE TV SERIES, BUT WHAT WERE THE JOINT MANAGERS ANTHONY JOHNSON AND BERNARD MORLEY REALLY LIKE?
The atmosphere we had around the changing room was undoubtedly created by the way the managers were and the way the players bought into how they put everything on the line for you as a group. It was almost as if you were playing for your best mates and you didn’t want to let them down. They are both built from a strong willingness to succeed no matter what, and they know who they are and don’t try to be anything they are not. The knowledge they have for the game and their record as a duo backs this up.
I’VE GOT YOU UP THERE COMPETING WITH THE LIKES OF CHESTERFIELD, LEYTON ORIENT, EBBSFLEET AND BARNET FOR THE TOP SPOT NEXT SEASON…
There is a bigger prize to succeed in this top division to be participating in the Football League in the next season. We may be seen again as a team competing for the top places and as I player and knowing the group we have we will want this to be the aim too, but the volume of games, the size of the clubs already competing and the fact the margin is so small between success and failure will keep us realistic. The teams we will be playing will have higher quality and it will be up to us as a team to answer the next set of questions.
YOUR BROTHER IS SCOTT HOGAN OF ASTON VILLA. DO YOU GET TO SEE EACH OTHER PLAY MUCH?
I am so proud of Scott (pictured right) and his achievements. His ride, like many, hasn’t been straightforward; bad injuries and knock backs, playing below his level to work his way back up again. He is now an international player for Republic of Ireland and he was one game away from being a Premier League footballer last season. It’s just really fulfilling to see him living out his dream as a kid. I always get asked who is better, but there is no comparison! He is ‘leagues above’ – quite literally.
AND FINALLY, WHAT’S YOUR BEST FOOTBALL TALE?
It’s got to be when our goalkeeper last year, Max Crocombe, was sent off for urinating on the pitch whilst a game was in play. It was an important game where we had been a goal down, we managed to pull two goals back just before play was stopped with the crowd and Bradford Park Avenue players shouting at the ref for his attention, and sure enough when we turned around Max was to the side of his six-box in the famous hamstring-stretch position going about his business. Obviously Max was sent off and having used all our subs we had to see the game out with our midfielder in goal!