In a revealing and candid interview, former Salford City star Elliot Watt has taken a bold swipe at his former club, Salford City, stating that leaving the team was a significant step forward for his career. The Scottish international, known for his tenacity and leadership on the field, didn’t hold back as he discussed the lack of appreciation and direction at Salford, which ultimately led to his departure.
Reflecting on his time at Salford City, Watt made it clear that his tenure there left much to be desired. “I never felt loved or appreciated by the club, and that’s hard for any player,” Watt remarked. “No matter how much you give on the field, you want to feel like you belong, that your efforts are valued—not just by your teammates, but by the entire club, and I didn’t feel that at Salford.”
Watt went on to criticize the club’s direction, suggesting that he didn’t see a path for Salford to fulfill his own personal ambitions of playing higher-level football. “It just didn’t feel like the club was heading in the right direction to help me achieve my dreams,” he continued. “As a player, you want to be part of a team that is growing, that has a clear vision of where they’re going. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case at Salford.”
Since joining Burton Albion, Watt has experienced a stark contrast in the atmosphere and culture at the club, describing it as a “family” environment. “It’s a completely different feeling here at Burton,” Watt said. “I feel like I’m part of something special, and there’s a sense of togetherness here that I didn’t experience at Salford.”
Watt has flourished at Burton Albion, taking on the captaincy role and leading by example on the pitch. His performances have been key to the club’s success, and he believes that Burton is on the right path to achieving greater things. “We’re pushing in the right direction here, and it’s a club where everyone works for each other,” he explained. “It’s not just about individual talent—it’s about how we come together as a team, and I feel like we’re building something really strong.”
Elliot Watt’s comments reflect his ambition to play at the highest possible level, something he felt was unattainable at Salford City. “I’ve always wanted to push myself and play at a higher level, and I didn’t see that happening at Salford,” Watt admitted. “Burton has given me the platform to grow as a player and a leader, and I feel like I’m on the right track now.”
While Watt acknowledges that Salford has potential, he remains confident that leaving the club was the best decision for his career. “Salford is a club with ambition, but for me personally, I needed to be somewhere where I could develop and fulfill my potential,” Watt said. “I’m really happy with where I am now, and I’m excited about what the future holds.”
Unsurprisingly, Watt’s remarks have sparked a range of reactions from Salford City fans. Some supporters have expressed disappointment in his comments, feeling that he has been overly critical of a club that supported him early in his career. “It’s disappointing to hear that Watt didn’t feel appreciated, especially because the fans always backed him,” one fan tweeted.
However, others have been more understanding, agreeing that Salford City may not have been the right place for Watt to grow as a player. “He’s just being honest, and sometimes you need a change to really progress,” another fan commented.
Elliot Watt’s candid remarks have certainly made headlines, but they also reveal the mindset of a player focused on growth and ambition. For Watt, leaving Salford City was about more than just changing clubs—it was about finding a place where he could feel valued and have the opportunity to fulfill his dreams of playing at a higher level.
Now settled at Burton Albion, Watt is determined to lead his team to success, and his comments suggest that he believes he has finally found the right environment to do so. As he continues to impress at Burton, it’s clear that Watt’s move away from Salford was a step up in more ways than one.
