logo
I dream big – David Beckham and Gary Neville head consortium buying Salford

I dream big – David Beckham and Gary Neville head consortium buying Salford

Glasgow Times08-05-2025
The former Manchester United stars are members of a consortium which also includes a US-based businessman, Declan Kelly, and Lord Mervyn Davies, and will take control with immediate effect.
'I will be over every big decision that's made and every little decision that's made,' Beckham told The Athletic. 'That's what my commitment is to Gary. It's what my commitment is to the club.
Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club's board.
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 8, 2025
'We're definitely not doing it for a laugh and it's also not for the romantic side of things. Yes, we care about the club — but we're doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level.
'I always dream big so I'm always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. But there's a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.'
Beckham first invested in Salford in January 2019, joining former 'Class of 92' team-mates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt as a shareholder.
Gary Neville bought out the stake of former co-owner Peter Lim last August.
The club confirmed on Thursday that Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs and Butt were no longer shareholders but would still be contributing 'with roles in the club across technical, football, commercial, recruitment and the SCFC foundation'.
Kelly and Davies will serve as co-chairs on the club's board.
Paul Scholes, left, and Nicky Butt are no longer shareholders of Salford but will still contrbute to the club under the new ownership group (Martin Rickett/PA)
The club said the acquisition includes 'a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the club, the team and its facilities'.
Salford missed out on the League Two play-offs by a single point, so will again play in English football's fourth tier next season.
Kelly and Davies said in a joint statement: 'We have been close friends and partners for more than a decade and we look forward to partnering with David, Gary, this phenomenal new ownership group, the Class of '92 and everyone at SCFC to take this project to the next level and hopefully bring more success to Salford City's wonderful fan base, players and everyone associated with the club.'
An advisory and investment firm, Consello, will lead the club's commercial strategy, with the club said to be 'looking forward to bringing on a series of commercial partners across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia'.
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (right) and Rob McElhenney celebrate their promotion to the Championship (Martin Rickett/PA).
Salford hope they can follow Wrexham's lead in attracting overseas interest and investment following the buyout of the Welsh club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Since the takeover Wrexham have risen from the National League to the Championship, having achieved three successive promotions.
Beckham added: 'We've all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I'm not saying this is why we're doing it because it's not.
'But I've spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That's the kind of thing that we want to create.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hibernian hit by flight delay ahead of trip to face Midtjylland
Hibernian hit by flight delay ahead of trip to face Midtjylland

STV News

time9 minutes ago

  • STV News

Hibernian hit by flight delay ahead of trip to face Midtjylland

Hibernian had far from ideal preparations for their Europa League encounter in Denmark after experiencing a five-hour delay for their flight. David Gray's squad spent far more time than expected at Edinburgh Airport before flying out for the first leg of their second qualifying-round encounter against Midtjylland. The disruption came ahead of a tough encounter on Thursday against a side with a solid recent European pedigree. The Herning-based club reached the Europa League knockout play-offs last season before losing to Real Sociedad home and away. They reached the same stage in 2022-23 having come through their UEFA Conference League group the previous season. The Danes knocked Celtic out of the Champions League qualifiers in 2021 in Ange Postecoglou's first two games as Hoops manager and were in the group stage the previous season, securing draws against Liverpool and Atalanta. Last season's Danish Superliga runners-up began their domestic campaign on Sunday with a 3-3 home draw against Odense. Hibs head coach David Gray told BBC Scotland: 'We know if we play to our maximum we're a very good side but we know we need to be at that level because this is a very tough tie. 'They are a good side, well coached, but we know what we've done last season and we're concentrating on what we can do. 'This is a tie over 180 minutes, so you need to remember if you go a goal up or a goal down early there's still a lot of football still to be played.' The Hibs squad includes record signing Thibault Klidje, the Togo international striker who recently joined from Luzern. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Viktor Gyokeres denied dream Arsenal shirt number but second-choice still available
Viktor Gyokeres denied dream Arsenal shirt number but second-choice still available

Daily Mirror

time9 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Viktor Gyokeres denied dream Arsenal shirt number but second-choice still available

Viktor Gyokeres is finally set to join Arsenal after the Gunners made a breakthrough in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, agreeing to pay a total £63.7million after haggling over add-ons Arsenal won't be able to hand Viktor Gyokeres his dream shirt number when the Swedish striker completes his £63.7million move to the Emirates. Gyokeres, 27, has been determined to join the Gunners throughout the summer transfer window and is on the verge of getting his wish. ‌ Personal terms have long been agreed but the finer details of the agreement between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon took weeks to finalise. The Portuguese giants champions, who Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games far, were haggling over the nature of the add-ons which made up part of Arsenal's bid. ‌ The Guardian report that Mikel Arteta's side made a late-night breakthrough on Tuesday, with the Gunners boss having been forced to bat away questions about the former Coventry City star in the first few days of their pre-season tour of Asia. Following Wednesday's 1-0 win against AC Milan in Singapore, Arteta reiterated: "You know that I am not going to play against any player that is not with us yet." ‌ The Arsenal manager's comments reflect what he said on Monday after his squad landed in Asia. "I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet," he told reporters. "When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that." But Arteta is set to change his tune once Gyokeres completes his medical and puts pen to paper on a five-year contract. The Sweden international will hope to take his prolific form from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League - but he won't have the same number on his back. Gyokeres has worn the No.9 shirt since he joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023. That number at Arsenal belongs to Gabriel Jesus, who until a long-term injury was linked with a move away this summer. ‌ During his two full seasons at Coventry, Gyokeres wore the No.17 shirt. That's currently taken by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who's also been tipped to leave north London. Interestingly, though, the No.10 shirt remains vacant. Emile Smith Rowe's departure last summer gives the 27-year-old the chance to inherit a prestigious shirt number worn by Paul Merson, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Mesut Ozil. ‌ Another iconic number which is available is the No.14, most famously worn by Thierry Henry. Other Arsenal greats to wear the shirt include Martin Keown, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alan Smith, Ray Parlour and Kevin Campbell. Gyokeres has only worn the No.10 shirt at youth level while his other numbers after turning professional have been 12, 14, 42 and 9. Other vacant numbers at Arsenal include 10, 14, 25, 26, 34 and 35. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Anthony Albanese gives in to major Donald Trump request
Anthony Albanese gives in to major Donald Trump request

Daily Mail​

time9 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Anthony Albanese gives in to major Donald Trump request

Australia has lifted its ban on US beef - eliminating a key reason previously cited by the Trump administration for imposing tariffs. Last month, the Prime Minister resisted pressure from the Trump administration to accept beef from Canadian and Mexican cattle processed in the US, insisting that Australia's strict biosecurity laws would not be compromised - a position strongly supported by Nationals MPs and cattle farmers. However, despite that stance, the biosecurity ban on US beef imports was overturned last night. The government has confirmed that, under the AUKUS agreement, Australia paid the US another $800 million at the end of the June quarter. The money will help the US boost its submarine production so it can sell us two second-hand nuclear-powered submarines. The ban on US beef was aimed at stopping a potential $80 billion foot-and-mouth outbreak and keeping Mad Cow disease out of Australia. But late last year, America brought in strict new tracking rules, covering all cattle, even those from Canada and Mexico.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store