On Saturday we journey down to Wiltshire to the cathedral town of Salisbury and the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, affectionately known as the Ray Mac.

Salisbury’s first season back in the National League South, after a 12 year absence, brought a last day escape from relegation when, from a position of relative safety at the turn of the year, a run of just one win in 10 games saw Salisbury slip to a precarious position. They were just above the relegation zone when we met them at the Ray Mac in late March when goals from Dan Fitchett and Ronan Silva gave the home side a 2-0 win. A final day point at Welling United was sufficient with St Albans City losing heavily at champions Truro City.

Salisbury’s previous existence as Salisbury City had no happy ending when, after a very satisfactory finish in 12th place in the National League, they were demoted to Conference South following a failure to pay outstanding debts and supplying the necessary financial bond. The club was liquidated and reformed as Salisbury Football Club for the 2015/16 season in the Wessex League from which they were promoted at the first attempt. After promotion from the Southern League West in 2017/18, last season they were promoted to National League South from the Southern League Premier.

The Salisbury manager is Yorkshire-born Brian Dutton who was appointed in 2022. A big favourite at the previous Salisbury club, he had previously managed Walsall. Dutton played 140 games for Salisbury and was captain on the finest day in that Salisbury club's history when they won promotion to what is now the National League in 2013.

Dutton's side, like ourselves, have not won yet but accumulated four points with home draws against Dagenham and Redbridge and Hornchurch and on the road at Hampton and Richmond Borough and Horsham. They've scored four goals so far, all scored by different players, Josh Keeya, Tom Davies, Tommy Lee Higgs and Mike Atkinson.  

Davies is one of Salisbury’s most experienced players with EFL experience at Portsmouth, Coventry and Tranmere. Matt Briggs joined in the summer after many years at Dorking Wanderers along with ex-Aldershot and Dartford front man Ollie Bray and former Worthing striker Tommy Willard. They also have a couple of players obtained through the loan market, Bromley defender Taylor Foran and Sutton United's Hayden Muller.

Entrance to the Ray Mac is via turnstiles on the Main Stand side. Salisbury operate segregation and visiting supporters will be directed to the uncovered end of the stadium but covered seating is available in the away end and a section of the main stand where there is a transfer charge of £1.

The away section has its own bar and food outlet that serves a variety of the usual match day food, burgers, sausages, chips, hot and cold drinks.

The Ray Mac is located three miles outside of the city centre and can be accessed via the Salisbury Reds PR11 bus route that takes you right to the ground or the X4, X5 or Activ8 route to the Beehive Roundabout which leaves a 15 minute walk.

There is parking at the ground which carries a £2 charge and the hosts ask that cars are not parked on Partridge Way or the housing estate.

Online admission prices to the game are: Adults £17; Concessions £13; Under-16 £6 and Under-5’s free and can be purchased HERE Cash or card at the turnstiles on the day when prices rise by £1.

Enjoy the game!