Karl Robinson’s time at Salford City has seen his hatred for the Class of 92 become love – and he’s determined to repay them.
Robinson will lead the club into Monday’s League Two play-off final against Notts County at Wembley Stadium, where Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt will no doubt be keeping a close eye.
A place in League One would be the product of an unlikely alliance between some of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players and a boyhood Liverpool fan. But Robinson wouldn’t have it any other way.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, the Salford boss said: “The uniqueness of this is when I sat down in front of the greatest players of all time, I’ve seen how much they want to get the football club to League One.
“Everyone knows I’m very proud to be from Liverpool and for me to be associated with some of the people that made my childhood and teenage years very very disappointing, I’ve loved every second of it. I’ve really loved it.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
“People say to me ‘what are you doing, going there?’ There’s not been a part of me that’s not enjoyed it. The people have made it worthwhile. And they’re the people who have allowed me to enjoy my job.”
The Class of 92 have overseen Salford’s rise through the leagues since 2014 and Robinson believes the atmosphere that they developed during their playing careers at Old Trafford has been fostered at the Peninsula Stadium.
He added: “I think our owners have had so much criticism for their involvement. They’re brilliant. They’re football people. They know what you need to hear and what you don’t need to hear.
“That as a manager has been an easy part of the job. Even people who have been there, seen it, done it and not only worn the t-shirt but have multiple medals.
View 5 ImagesKarl Robinson is full of praise for the work the Class of 92 have done at Salford City(Image: Getty Images)
“That’s the hard bit, living up to their expectations but they have been brilliant. Paul [Scholes], Ryan [Giggs] and Nicky [Butt], who we see all the time. We know where Gary [Neville] is and David [Beckham] is probably one of the most famous men in the world. We can maybe loan Messi for a few months!
“They’re so grounded. The story of the class of 92 was ultimate success between a group of lads who played together and came through when they were 16, 17. And they just ended up playing football for the football clubs they loved.
“Because of success, people turn them into these things, something that they’re not. Not one of them doesn’t celebrate when we score. Their journey has been so organic and so clean and so successful. It doesn’t mean they change as people. It has been so, so easy.
“Some of the stories you could tell about how good they’ve been are brilliant. Don’t forget, this is a scouser who’s grown up despising them. This doesn’t come from a light-hearted opinion.
View 5 ImagesBeckham is fully involved at the Peninsula Stadium(Image: Getty Images)
“Paul calls me a Chirpy Scouser but that’s just part of football! When United play Liverpool, there’s a few eye emojis sent round. Don’t you worry, that gets sent. The way they’ve taken to me, I’m forever indebted to them.”
While Robinson is grateful for the reception that he received from his high-profile bosses, he believes that his two-and-a-half-year spell at the club has allowed him to rediscover his love for the game after a difficult period from a personal viewpoint.
He said: “I think about things, I went through divorce and was dealing with things privately and this is why it’s so important to me and means so much to me because this club has given me the opportunity to step away from things and step away from football.
“That’s something that I needed. I’m only 45 years of age. I still see myself right at the infancy of what I’m doing but I owe this club so much for allowing me to fall back in love with football. I’ll forever be indebted for that.
View 5 ImagesKarl Robinson was speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of The Sky Bet & British Heart Foundation Every Minute Matters Campaign(Image: The Sky Bet & British Heart Foundation Every Minute Matters Campaign)
“I need the football club a lot more than the football club needs me. It’s given me a real zest for the game and a real buzz. The ones who know me from Oxford, Charlton and MK, I feel like that again. I really do. It’s something I owe this football club for. “
Given the high-profile names in the boardroom, it was no surprise to see a few starting to appear on the pitch for Salford. Former Liverpool, AC Milan and Roma forward Fabio Borini signed for the club on a free transfer this season and has scored five goals since.
Like the club’s ownership, Robinson has been taken aback by how much the Italian has bought into the project at Salford. He said: “[He’s] incredible. His discipline, his attention to detail is incredible.
“I think he scored a goal here in a cup game and he celebrated like he scored in the San Siro for AC Milan or the Olimpico for Roma or Liverpool or Chelsea. This person has had an incredible career and played up front with some mind blowing strikers and has been brilliant for me.
View 5 ImagesFabio Borini joined Salford on a free transfer earlier this season(Image: Getty Images)
“He embodies everything that we’re trying to do. He’s hard-working, relentless and it’s true to the identity of the city and he’s been impeccable all the way along that.”
With Borini’s experience, Robinson’s managerial nous and the Class of 92’s desire for success, Salford City just about have all of the ingredients for promotion. And it’s fair to say that there is no hatred any more.
“It all starts with a small dream of some of the greatest footballers of all time, leaning on an iron post a few metres to my right when they first walked in here,” Robinson said with a smile. “They think they can affect people’s lives in the city of Salford with a new generation of supporters. They should be immensely proud of it.”
As part of the Sky Bet and British Heart Foundation’s Every Minute Matters campaign, this weekend Wembley Stadium’s stands will be temporarily renamed during the 2026 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Finals to honour four football fans connected to extraordinary cardiac arrest and CPR stories. More than 200,000 supporters attending the Play-Off Finals will see the stadium takeover, designed to encourage more people to learn lifesaving CPR skills.
Article continues below
The campaign, supported by the EFL, has already inspired more than 520,000 people to start learning CPR through the BHF’s free RevivR training tool since launching in 2024. Every Minute Matters aims to raise awareness of the importance of immediate CPR and defibrillation, with every minute without intervention reducing survival chances following a cardiac arrest.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£44SkyGet the deal here
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.