Salisbury set to welcome former football league Daggers to Ray Mac

Friday, 15 August 2025 05:55

Salisbury begin their home campaign in the Enterprise National League South this weekend with the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge.

It’s a first chance for fans to gather at the Ray Mac this season for competitive football and cast their eyes on the first squad put together under the ownership of Kuwaiti businessman, Ali Alhamad.

Brian Dutton’s side got off to a solid start away at Hampton & Richmond Borough last weekend, controlling much of the game and creating some decent opportunities. However, Hampton stood firm and kept Salisbury out, with a combination of excellent goalkeeping, last-ditch defending and getting players behind the ball.

Brian Dutton was pleased with the performance.

The team will be wearing their brand new home strip for the match, with the club shop open before the game, allowing supporters the opportunity to purchase the new replica kits ahead of the game.

Get your tickets for the match online in advance – https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/

Dagenham & Redbridge, who also had a change of ownership over the summer break, head to the Ray Mac after an opening day defeat at home to Ebbsfleet United. Goals in each half from Kwesi Appiah and Tom Dallison gave the visitors all three points.

Managed by former Pompey, Man City and Bournemouth player Lee Bradbury, Dagenham will have their sights set on returning to the National League at the first time of asking.

Bradbury said after the defeat to Ebbsfleet on the opening day that it was a ‘bad start’.

The Daggers are new opponents for Salisbury; the two teams have never met previously. Relegated from the National League at the end of last season, the former Football League club is at its lowest level since the turn of the century, but it has big ambitions under its new ownership.

Former Newcastle, Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll joined the club’s ranks over the summer, signing both as a player and as a minority stakeholder in the club.

Salisbury Football Club has launched several new match-day activities and fan engagement initiatives in the last few weeks, including a new mobile app featuring a predictions league, a half-time challenge, and an expanded and improved programme that gives supporters who have purchased it a chance to win cash.

Get your tickets for the match online in advance to qualify for the new half-time challenge here – https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/