The writers of a popular Salford City fanzine have raised thousands of pounds for a local homelessness charity.
Six big-hearted Salford fans behind the Old Dead Tree fanzine have donated the £3,500 earned at matches throughout the season to Coffee4Craig, a charity providing hot food, healthcare and advice for people struggling with homelessness.
Kev Wright, Jo Wright, Toni Thomson, Jordan Thain, Richard J Lewis and Dave Farrar have worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to produce and distribute magazines chronicling the club’s history, its loyal supporters and the team’s fortunes on the pitch.
Kev explained that the fanzine started in 2025 and helped to raise £2,000 for Pendleton-based charity Salford Loaves and Fishes the previous year. He said he was “incredibly” proud to have handed over the check in a year they found finding people to sell on matchdays “hard work.”
“We’re incredibly proud of what this fanzine has become,” he said. “It started as a project, for the fans by the fans, but through a lot of hard work and commitment from everyone involved, we’ve managed to raise £3,500 for Coffee4Craig. That’s something we don’t take lightly.
“This season especially, it’s taken real effort to keep it going. That means long hours, plenty of graft and a shared belief in what we’re doing. The support we’ve had from the community has been amazing, and it’s what’s made all of this possible.
“At the end of the day, it’s about more than just the fanzine – it’s about giving something back and supporting people who really need it.”
The latest edition of the Old Dead Tree fanzine contains an interesting feature about “small” clubs punching above their weight around the world, an interview with a Salford supporter known for being the “resident DJ” on away trips and contributions from other League Two fans reflecting on their teams’ seasons.
At £3 a copy, Salford supporters have been able to learn more about their club while contributing to a good cause. Kev explained how the fanzine came to select Coffee4Craig as this year’s chosen charity.
“We went to coffee for Craig on a Sunday afternoon and they were hosting what they call a comedy night,” he recalled asking organisers what a comedy night for the homeless entailed before being shown upstairs to a room full of smiling faces.
“We went upstairs and could see people laughing and joking with a guy doing a sketch from a film. They gave the homeless people biscuits and a brew and put on this interactive afternoon, which was really, really good.
“These guys have come off the street and it was fantastic to see them being looked after.”
Kev was on the pitch at half-time to hand over a big check to the homelessness charity as Salford beat Bromley 2-0 to keep their automatic promotion hopes intact and clinch at least a play-off place.
The Ammies will travel to relegation-threatened Crawley on the final day of the season on Saturday 2 May, knowing that if they win and Cambridge drop points at Crewe the club will be promoted to League One for the first time.
“It’s great that we are already guaranteed play-offs,” said Craig. “I’ve booked the day off and we are going in fancy dress. We are really looking forward to it.”
More information about The Old Dead Tree Salford City fanzine can be found on its dedicated Facebook page.
