Sport

Salford City’s Director of Football has left the club after more than half a decade

He came through the same ranks as the Class of 92.

Danny Jones - 12th November 2024

Salford City’s Director of Football, Chris Casper, has officially left the Peninsula Stadium after more than seven years with the club.

Casper has been with Salford ever since they became a professional outfit back in 2017, being brought in as Sporting Director by the Class of ’92 before progressing into an adjacent Director of Football role in recent years.

Having been tasked with establishing the Salford’s Academy system, now classed as a Category 3 academy with teams ranging from Under-9s all the way up to the B-Team, he’s been key in creating pathways for young players in Greater Manchester and beyond to progress into first-team football.

Now, the Lancashire-born former player is set to join his boyhood club, Burnley, in the ideal role as Manager of the Clarets Academy, set to build on the success seen here in Salford.

After nearly 8 years at the club, Chris Casper has left to take up a role at Burnley 🤝

Chris has been a major part of the pathway for our young players who have made men's first team appearances, and we wish him all the best in his new opportunity!

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) November 11, 2024

Writing in a statement on the club website, Salford said: “In just seven years we have seen 46 players from our development system make men’s first-team appearances, and most recently Marshall Heys made Emirates FA Cup history as the youngest player to play for a professional club in the competition when he came on as a substitute in our 2-1 win against Shrewsbury Town.”

As for Casper himself, he said: “I would like to thank the staff and players that I have worked with for their help and support over nearly eight years in what has been such an exciting time at the club, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Salford with some wonderful people.

He went on to add: “I would also like to thank the supporters who have been brilliant in my time at the Club. In particular, I would like to thank the owners for their support and their trust throughout my time here, and I am grateful to them to have allowed me this opportunity.”

Like his previous co-owners, the 49-year-old started out his career as a player at Manchester United, going on to enjoy spells as a defender at the likes of Bournemouth, Swindon and Reading before getting a taste of management at Bath and Bury.

As the son of Burnley legend, Frank Casper – who played and managed the club – as well as the father of current goalkeeper, Charlie, it goes without saying that it was a warm welcome home.

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Speaking on his first day, Chris went on to say: “It’s maybe fate to follow in the footsteps of my dad and my son as well. It feels surreal to be here but it’s genuinely a dream come true.”

As for what would have been his equivalent while at Salford, Director of Football Development, Paul Jenkins, added: “It’s a good day for us at the football club. Chris was an outstanding candidate with many years of experience at this level.

“He spent well over 10 years at the Premier League as a club [academy] support manager and one of the main qualities in that role is that you get to experience good practice at other football clubs, independently, which is important.”

“He also had success at Salford. He was pivotal in developing young players and their football strategy. So, coupled with his roots at this football club, he is the ideal fit.”

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Featured Images — Salford City/Burnley FC (via YouTube screenshots)