Beckham and Neville Join New Ownership Group at Salford City

David Beckham and Gary Neville have teamed up with a new ownership consortium to take over Salford City, an English football club currently playing in the fourth-tier League Two.

Previously, the club was owned by Beckham, Neville, and other former Manchester United stars from the iconic “Class of ’92” — Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Phil Neville — alongside Singaporean businessman Peter Lim. However, a fresh ownership group, which includes Beckham, Neville, and new shareholders from the United States, India, and England, has now taken charge, committing to significant investments in the club, its team, and its facilities.

While Butt, Giggs, Scholes, and Phil Neville are no longer shareholders, they will continue to play a role in the club’s future direction. According to a statement from Salford, they will contribute to the club’s next chapter in new capacities.

Beckham, who grew up in Salford, shared his excitement about the acquisition, reflecting on his fond memories of the area. “Salford City is at the heart of its community,” he said. “It has a rich history, and I’m delighted to be part of the next chapter.” Beckham also has stakes in Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, showing his continued passion for football both in England and the U.S.

Gary Neville, who also played for Manchester United, described the consortium as a dynamic group with diverse expertise. “Football will come first,” Neville said. “But it’s essential that we drive the club toward long-term sustainability over the next few years. I can’t wait for this next step.”

Salford City finished eighth in League Two this season, just outside the playoff spots, and will now look to the future with this new investment. Beckham pointed out that their ambitions are high, inspired by the success of Wrexham’s rise through the ranks of English football under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Though Beckham clarified that the Salford project is not solely motivated by Wrexham’s rise, he acknowledged the enthusiasm and community connection surrounding it, something he hopes to replicate at Salford. “We want to create that same exceptional feeling around the club,” Beckham said.

Looking ahead, Beckham’s dream for Salford is to see the club rise all the way to the Premier League, though he acknowledges the substantial work and investment required to reach that goal. “There’s a lot of hard work to be done,” he said, “but we’re committed to making it happen.”

Source: AP News – Beckham and Neville part of new ownership group at English soccer club Salford