The signing of midfielder Richie Towell by Salford City from Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer sparked caused quite a reaction on Twitter amongst Rotherham United fans at the weekend.
Towell had been on loan with the Millers for the past two seasons plying his trade in the Championship during the last campaign. His move to League Two Salford sparked some reaction on Twitter around the role of money in the game in the lower leagues with many Rotherham United fans questioning the financial aspects of the move and the player’s motivation for dropping to League Two.
Salford’s rise up the leagues to EFL status has been famously heavily financially backed by the ‘Class of 92’ and billionaire businessman Peter Lim meaning the signing raised quite a few eyebrows amongst opposition fans, particularly those from Rotherham who were angry that EFL new boy’s Salford might have offered the player better terms to move to Lancashire.
Towell will be a free agent when his contract expires with Brighton at the end of June. He made seventy-three league appearances for the Millers in his two years at the club, helping them to League One promotion in 2017/18.
The signing is indeed a statement of intent by Salford who continually progress and attract players from higher up the pyramid despite an average attendance of around 2,500.
Salford supporters were delighted with the signing but a little irritated by all the money talk.
Here is a selection of responses on Twitter.
At least Rotherham don’t buy their success 🤣 you lot had like 10 fans until the 92 turned up then you all decided to support Salford 🤣
— Kyle🏴 (@Kyle_Irving20) May 31, 2019
Imagine moving to a smaller club 🌚🌚🌚
— Joel🇸🇲🗽 (@JoeIinton) May 31, 2019
Do you not understand Salford literally throw money at players? They had Adam Rooney on 5k a week from a team who was could’ve been in Europe. 5 THOUSAND POUND PER WEEK IN THE CONFERENCE. It’s all about money for players. He said he didn’t want to rejoin us cause he wanted 10k
— Kurt Payton (@PaytonKurt) May 31, 2019
@gallott1985 that’s player I was on about that we had from brighton. was on 18k a week there! obviously we couldn’t agree terms but salford have 😂
— Ben Marshall (@bbmarsh17) May 31, 2019
So Salford have offered Towell a higher wage than us 😂 ffs #RUFC
— Danny Ogden-Glaves (@dog_notorious) May 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Bricrabtree/status/1134508422278320128
Jesus, what a signing that is for L2. Gutted we didn't pin him down permanently
— Nicky Hannon (@nicky_hannon) May 31, 2019
Financial fair play 🤔🤔🤔
— NEIL CAVANAGH (@CavRocks72) May 31, 2019
Made 1 appearance for them, spent the majority of his career at Rotherham. Why can’t people see these money comments are boring to Salford fans. #uta
— Joe Park (@Jparky96) May 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/GaryRobb12/status/1134714471534997504
How’s this sit in terms of financial fair play ?
Clearly Salford aren’t bound by these rules . With their gates and ground it seems money is all it takes and it fuels greed in the game. It’s not new though that a team can rise from the ashes. Ask a Wimbledon supporter and hopefully the likes of Chesterfield can follow. Div 2 is light years from the level and finances of the Championship. There the ffp rules would kick in as several clubs found out last season including up for sale Sheffield Wednesday.
I detect a bit of jealousy among u lot!!!! whats ya problem?
now now lads I know your all skint in Rotherham, dont let ALL this money that we have got down here in Salford eat away at you. If your stuck for some bread & milk I,ll sort you a tenner if its that bad…..