DANNY Webber thought his days of playing in televised FA Cup matches were over, but thanks to a 5am phone call from Salford City owner Gary Neville he will get another chance to showcase his talents in front of millions on Friday.

The former Accrington Stanley striker will be part of history on Friday night when Salford make their maiden appearance in the first round of the FA Cup against Notts County at Moor Lane.

Webber has an FA Cup runner's up medal from his time at Portsmouth, but it means little to him as he did not play in the 2010 final defeat to Chelsea because of injury.

The former Manchester United striker now has another chance to shine with the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier side and he is acutely aware of the significance of the sell-out fixture to the club and their supporters.

"I have enjoyed this run to the first round," said the striker, who signed for Salford in August 2014.

"It means a lot to the club. There is progression from last year in everything the club has done. It means a lot to get this far but it doesn't mean we don't want to go and win the game on Friday as well.

"It's the same as any other game - 11 v 11 - and we will do our best to go and win."

Salford, of course, are part-owned by five of Webber's most illustrious former Manchester United team-mates.

Fellow academy graduates Neville, his brother Phil, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs bought the club last year and Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim now owns 50 per cent too.

Several improvements have been made to Moor Lane since the Class of '92 came on board.

The main stand at the 1,400-capacity ground has been refurbished, new offices have been built, the toilets have been replaced and investments have been made on the playing staff too.

Webber is the most high-profile addition to the part-time squad. The 33-year-old was commentating on Salford's friendly against the Class of '92 last year but ended up coming on as a substitute after Neville and Giggs spotted him walking around with his headphones on at half-time.

"I played the final 20 minutes and as a result of that Gary asked me (to sign)," Webber said.

"And then, the next morning, a 5am wake-up call - it was Gary Neville. 'Would you come and play?', he asked.

"I said 'let me think about it' and he said 'OK, no problem'

"By 9am I had thought about it and said 'Yeah'. It's a testament to him and the way he wants to get something."

Since he became involved with Salford, Neville -also an England coach and TV pundit - has lived up to the nickname of 'Busy' that his Class of '92 team-mates gave to him.

Anthony Johnson's days as a truck driver are punctuated by conference calls with five of the most successful British footballers in history, and fellow Salford co-manager Bernard Morley.

The pair left Ramsbottom for the Salford job in January.

"I'm pulled over in my wagon listening to these conference calls and I can't believe who I'm on the phone to," said Johnson, who led Salford to promotion after being appointed joint-manager alongside Morley in January.

"It's not really star-struck but while you're trying to make it like it's normal, it's not normal to be on the phone to those lads."

Having such wealthy backers must provoke envy among their non-league rivals, but other clubs have kindly shared their scouting reports with Salford to help them prepare for their match against League Two County.

Johnson said: "The Plymouth scout has just sent us through three DVDs and his report and we've had reports off Exeter and Portsmouth.

"People can see we are the minnows and they are trying to help us with as much information as we can get."

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