Latest news with #Classof'92
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gary Neville denies Wrexham jealousy in bold Salford prediction after David Beckham takeover
Gary Neville has rejected suggestions he might be envious of Wrexham's rise under Hollywood ownership, claiming Salford City has its own sustainable plan to reach the Championship Gary Neville has denied being jealous of Wrexham's impressive achievements under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Welsh side have enjoyed unprecedented success since being taken over by the two actors in 2021, registering three consecutive promotions from the National League to the Championship. Neville previously experienced a similar upward trajectory with Salford City when he first bought into the club back in 2014. The former Manchester United defender invested in the Ammies along with other Class of '92 icons Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt. Salford initially secured four promotions during a prosperous five-year spell, taking them from the Northern Premier League to League Two. However, their progress then stalled and they have been stuck in the fourth tier since 2019. Neville and fellow United legend David Beckham completed a buyout of Salford as part of a new consortium in May after setting a goal of reaching the Championship within the next five years. But despite being overtaken by Wrexham, who have made it to that level in a shorter time frame, the Sky Sports pundit insists he is not envious of the Red Dragons. "No, I don't wish I was any other football club, I don't work or operate like that," he told FourFourTwo magazine. "With new owners, we've got a plan whereby in four to five years, I'd like to think Salford would be more successful on the pitch. That's the hope. "We will also have invested in our training ground and stadium, and be in a position whereby we can achieve sustainability. That's the real drive of this ownership, to grow revenues, be successful on the pitch, become sustainable and ensure we still meet those values of being affordable and accessible that we had from day one. There's a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in, but we're committed and that's the most important thing." The comparisons between Wrexham and Salford are perhaps imevitable given the Ammies featured in their own BBC documentary during the early years of the Class of 92 takeover. That was years before before Reynolds and McElhenney turned Wrexham into an unlikely global phenomenon via the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries. However, Neville stressed earlier this year that he and Beckham are planning to take Salford on a different path, which doesn't rely on huge sums of their own money being pumped in. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, he said: "Me and Becks decided that we would put money in for the next four or five years, which is a commitment we've all made. There's been quite a lot of money been promised over the next four years. "[But] we won't change the budget, and to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years. You can't just go from investing to becoming sustainable – you've got players' contracts for three years, and you've generally got a model that you've built which you can't get away from. "I think it's very different from Wrexham and Birmingham, where you're talking about hundreds of millions going into those clubs, particularly Birmingham. That's not what we're looking to do with Salford." 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. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dutch icon Michael Reiziger lifted Champions League at Ajax, played with Rivaldo and is now plotting England's downfall
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEFORE the Class of '92's crowning moment, it was Ajax's Academy of Total Football that stole the march and produced a team of homegrown stars that conquered Europe. Edwin van der Saar, twins Frank and Ronald de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert all burst on to the scene to start a stunning era for Dutch football. 6 Michael Reiziger is plotting England's downfall tonight Credit: Getty 6 The legend was part of the iconic Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995 Credit: Getty 6 The former defender enjoyed a glittering seven years at Barcelona Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Michael Reiziger had a brief stint in the Premier League with Middlesbrough Credit: PA:Press Association Michael Reiziger was another huge name and part of that group that lifted the 1995 Champions League trophy and reached the following year's final. He went on to play with legends such as Robert Baggio, George Weah and Paolo Maldini at AC Milan before an incredible seven-year stint at Barcelona. Alongside Brazilian magician Rivaldo, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov and Pep Guardiola, Reiziger claimed two LaLiga crowns as they twice toppled the Galacticos from Real Madrid. Having won everything with both Ajax and Barca, he looked to achieve the same when he surprisingly decided to leave the Camp Nou for Steve McClaren's ambitious Middlesbrough. Though his brief foray in the Premier League did not last long, and after just six months he was on his way back home with PSV. As injuries began to take their toll, he signed off his playing career by adding another Eredivisie title to his collection before hanging up his boots in 2007. It was a playing career and CV that anybody would have been proud of, however, like the rest of that great and fiery Dutch side, their inability to deliver silverware for their nation still hurts. And it's that failure that is fuelling the flames deep inside of the now Holland Under-21 boss to hopefully kickstart another Dutch revolution - starting by winning the European Championship in Slovakia. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Reizeger, who suffered three tournament semi-final defeats with Holland, said: 'We missed that special cup. 'After three semi-finals, you hope that you play the final and live up to it [expectation]. We lost for our generation. England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch 'Now we have some good players and we're getting better with every game.' For Reiziger to achieve that, he must first topple the holders England in Bratislava tonight to seal a date with destiny in Saturday's final. He acknowledges that will not be an easy task - and he is certainly no stranger to opposite number Lee Carsley. The two head coaches have actually collided on the pitch during the Dutchman's brief time in the Premier League. That was back on January 16 in 2005 when Carsley helped Everton come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at The Riverside in a stormy match that was marred by a huge goalmouth scuffle that exploded after a late challenge from Duncan Ferguson on Boro keeper Mark Schawarzer. 6 Lee Carsley went head-to-head with the Dutchman on the pitch while at Everton Credit: PA:Press Association 6 The England boss leads his team out tonight against Holland in Bratislava Credit: Getty Reizeger claims he cannot remember the game, but Carsley, who was denied by the woodwork that day, can. He said: 'I don't remember it being a classic. We always had tough games against Middlesbrough. Michael was a top player. Look at his CV, Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, he's been there and done it. A Champions League player and a coach that I've got a lot of respect for. Michael Reiziger Here's everything the Dutch icon won during his incredible playing career: AJAX Eredivisie: 1994–95, 1995–96 KNVB Cup: 1992–93 Dutch Supercup: 1994, 1995 Champions League: 1994–95 Uefa Cup: 1991–92 Uefa Super Cup: 1995 Intercontinental Cup: 1995 BARCELONA La Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99 Copa del Rey: 1997–98 Uefa Super Cup: 1997 PSV Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07 'He's doing a great job with the U21s, as he did with Ajax's B team. He's carried that on with the U21s. 'The style that they're playing is great to watch. I expect it to be a really exciting game, unlike that 1-1 draw. I don't remember hitting the bar now but I remember the melee.' No matter what happens tonight, Reizeger will always remain on the list of all-time greats. But another journey may just be beginning, only this time it is him leading the revolution from the dug-out.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dutch icon Michael Reiziger lifted Champions League at Ajax, played with Rivaldo and is now plotting England's downfall
BEFORE the Class of '92's crowning moment, it was Ajax's Academy of Total Football that stole the march and produced a team of homegrown stars that conquered Europe. Edwin van der Saar, twins Frank and Ronald de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert all burst on to the scene to start a stunning era for Advertisement 6 Michael Reiziger is plotting England's downfall tonight Credit: Getty 6 The legend was part of the iconic Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995 Credit: Getty 6 The former defender enjoyed a glittering seven years at Barcelona Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Michael Reiziger had a brief stint in the Premier League with Middlesbrough Credit: PA:Press Association He went on to play with legends such as Robert Baggio, George Weah and Paolo Maldini at AC Milan before an incredible seven-year stint at Alongside Brazilian magician Rivaldo, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov and Pep Guardiola, Reiziger claimed two LaLiga crowns as they twice toppled the Galacticos from Real Madrid. Having won everything with both Advertisement READ MORE ENGLAND U21S Though his brief foray in the Premier League did not last long, and after just six months he was on his way back home with PSV. As injuries began to take their toll, he signed off his playing career by adding another Eredivisie title to his collection before hanging up his boots in 2007. It was a playing career and CV that anybody would have been proud of, however, like the rest of that great and fiery Dutch side, their inability to deliver silverware for their nation still hurts. And it's that failure that is fuelling the flames deep inside of the now Holland Under-21 boss to hopefully kickstart another Dutch revolution - starting by winning the European Championship in Slovakia. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Breaking BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Reizeger, who suffered three tournament semi-final defeats with Holland, said: 'We missed that special cup. 'After three semi-finals, you hope that you play the final and live up to it [expectation]. We lost for our generation. England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch 'Now we have some good players and we're getting better with every game.' Advertisement For Reiziger to achieve that, he must first topple the holders England in Bratislava tonight to seal a date with destiny in Saturday's final. He acknowledges that will not be an easy task - and he is certainly no stranger to opposite number Lee Carsley. The two head coaches have actually collided on the pitch during the Dutchman's brief time in the Premier League. That was back on January 16 in 2005 when Carsley helped Everton come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at The Riverside in a stormy match that was marred by a huge goalmouth scuffle that exploded after a late challenge from Duncan Ferguson on Boro keeper Mark Schawarzer. Advertisement 6 Lee Carsley went head-to-head with the Dutchman on the pitch while at Everton Credit: PA:Press Association 6 The England boss leads his team out tonight against Holland in Bratislava Credit: Getty Reizeger claims he cannot remember the game, but Carsley, who was denied by the woodwork that day, can. He said: 'I don't remember it being a classic. We always had tough games against Middlesbrough. Advertisement Michael was a top player. Look at his CV, Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, he's been there and done it. A Champions League player and a coach that I've got a lot of respect for. Michael Reiziger Here's everything the Dutch icon won during his incredible playing career: AJAX Eredivisie: 1994–95, 1995–96 KNVB Cup: 1992–93 Dutch Supercup: 1994, 1995 Champions League: 1994–95 Uefa Cup: 1991–92 Uefa Super Cup: 1995 Intercontinental Cup: 1995 BARCELONA La Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99 Copa del Rey: 1997–98 Uefa Super Cup: 1997 PSV Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07 'He's doing a great job with the U21s, as he did with Ajax's B team. He's carried that on with the U21s. 'The style that they're playing is great to watch. I expect it to be a really exciting game, unlike that 1-1 draw. I don't remember hitting the bar now but I remember the melee.' No matter what happens tonight, Reizeger will always remain on the list of all-time greats. Advertisement But another journey may just be beginning, only this time it is him leading the revolution from the dug-out. England's Under-21 Euros squad in FULL ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia. Here is Lee Carsley's full squad for the blockbuster tournament: Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City) Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth) Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sir David Beckham: Was Manchester United legend the most underrated footballer in the world? Decoding former Galctico's footballing legacy
'Beckham, into Sheringham… and Solskjaer has won it!' 'Manchester United have reached the promised land.' The corner came in like a hymn. Beckham's delivery—whipped, precise, inevitable—was scripture in motion. In the annals of football, there are players who pass, players who dribble, players who score. And then there was David Beckham—who could place a football on a postage stamp from 40 yards while running at full tilt. And look gorgeous doing it. Or to paraphrase Leonard Cohen: David had a secret chord that pleased the Lord. For United fans of the current vintage, it's hard to forget how good Beckham and his mates were and how terrifying it was for opposing teams when they played together. Because at that moment we were all in a Gurinder Chadha film, hoping to bend it like Beckham and if we couldn't copy his mohawk hairstyle, much to the chagrin of mothers and teachers. You had Ryan Giggs running like a cocker spaniel chasing a silver piece of paper. You had Roy Keane looking at you menacingly as he covered every blade of grass. You had Paul Scholes hitting the ball with such power that it took Sir Alex Ferguson's breath away. And you had David Beckham pinging crosses and passes with such accuracy that it seemed barely human. It's easy to forget now, with the beard oils and whisky launches, the sarongs and showmanship, that before he became a brand, Beckham was a baller. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo And not just a decent one. A magnificent one. He wasn't a dribbler like Messi. He didn't roar like Rooney. He didn't shrug off defenders like Ronaldo. He didn't drop his shoulder like Cruyff. But when Beckham struck a ball, it obeyed. As if Newtonian physics had made an exception for a young working-class lad from London. And then the universe followed for its rules of celebrity. Born May 2, 1975, he's now 50. Half a century. And yet, there are days he still looks like that boy from Leytonstone, walking up to a dead ball with a gaze so focused you'd think the world was about to tilt. And often, it did. The Lad from Leytonstone The new Knight of the Realm wasn't born into privilege, but he was born with an obsession. His father was a kitchen fitter and a rabid Manchester United supporter. His mother was a hairdresser. Together, they gifted him football boots, not fairy tales. The middle name 'Robert' was a nod to Bobby Charlton. Not that he needed the hint. While other kids played for fun, Beckham played to become. Teachers would ask what he wanted to be. He'd say, 'A footballer.' They'd laugh. But there's no dissuading a kid who knows his dharma . At age 14, he joined United as a youth trainee and was soon part of the club's golden nursery—the Class of '92. In fact, Ferguson, contrary to his image as the Devil reincarnate, would let Beckham hang out with the first team and clean their boots, a task the young Beckham thought was the greatest chore in the world. In 1995, with United letting go of seasoned names like Mark Hughes and Paul Ince, the kids were thrown into the fire. They lost 3-1 to Aston Villa. Cue Alan Hansen's infamous line: 'You can't win anything with kids.' Except these weren't regular kids. By the end of that season, Beckham and the boys had won the league. Of course, they had a wry Frenchman named Eric Cantona to help them along. But for Beckham, the true breakthrough moment came the season later when he lobbed the Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan from his own half. Even Eric Cantona was ostensibly impressed with the young man who worshipped him. And once Cantona retired prematurely to follow more philosophical pursuits like the proverbial seagulls, David Beckham begged for and inherited his shirt: the hallowed number 7. The Treble. The Truth. David Beckham Magic | | Manchester United Vs Bayern Munich in UCL Final 1999 Yet it was the 1998-99 season that truly made him, to borrow a line from his father, grow into a man. The 1999 Champions League final was, for Beckham, a remarkable redemption arc that began with the horror show of France 1998 when he was sent off for a cheeky pub-side hack on Diego Simeone, who fell like he was auditioning for the slasher horror movie Hostel where someone had cut his Achilles tendon. David Beckham became the most hated name in England, to the point that his effigies were burned all around. But that actually forged the siege mentality that allowed Ferguson to mould his team into world beaters. And Beckham was instrumental in that season, scoring 9 goals and providing 20 assists, though numbers hardly tell the full tale of Beckham's contributions. He scored the first goal in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal, he got the first goal in the final game of the league season against Tottenham, and delivered the precise corners that helped United triumph in the very last minute against Bayern Munich. The great lie of football is that it's a game of moments. It isn't. It's a game of margins. Beckham operated in the margins with the precision of a surgeon and the romance of a poet. It would appear that he had the secret chord that pleased the Lord. His right foot was less a limb and more a compass, pointing north every time the team lost its way. The Right Boot of God David Beckham's Top 10 Premier League Free Kicks | Manchester United If Maradona had the Hand of God, Beckham had the Right Boot of God. It wasn't just that he could cross. It was that he could cross on command, under pressure, from impossible angles. His delivery was so accurate, it felt like watching a heat-seeking missile disguised as a football. He made the football curl, dip, hover, and hum through the air—like it had fallen in love with where it was going. He still holds the record for most free-kick goals in Premier League history: 18. More than Cristiano Ronaldo. More than Henry. More than Kevin de Bruyne. More than anyone else in the history of the English game. And it wasn't just the number—it was the weight of the moments. The 93rd-minute free-kick against Greece to send England to the World Cup. The whipped-in goal against Leicester from wide. The relentless deliveries that made strikers look better than they were. Give Beckham one moment, and he gave you a masterpiece. He didn't just hit the ball. He whispered to it. And it listened. Arise, Sir Goldenballs David Beckham was never the best player in the world. But he might have been the most important. He changed the image of a footballer. He built a brand before Instagram. He bent free-kicks, and then bent the arc of what an athlete could be. Goldenballs. Spice Husband. Captain. Galáctico. Icon. Knight. Yes, he's finally a knight now—despite what the c***s on the honours committee thought for years. And through it all—through the fame, the fragrance ads, the fashion shoots and front pages—he never lost that one thing: the secret chord. The one that pleased the Lord. And the Stretford End.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Fernandes, Mainoo, Diallo meet fans in sea of red at TRX
KUALA LUMPUR: Manchester United brought a red tide to the heart of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday as fans packed the Adidas store at The Exchange TRX to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The ground floor of City Avenue was transformed into a sea of red during two meet-and-greet sessions, giving die-hard supporters the chance to connect with their favourite United stars ahead of Wednesday's friendly against the Asean All-Stars. Present at the event were club captain Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Harry Amass, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo. Many fans turned up hours in advance to secure prime spots and witness Adidas' showcase of United kits from the past decade. Supporters of all ages, clad in jerseys old and new, stood shoulder to shoulder with posters, shirts and memorabilia in hand, hoping for autographs or selfies. While walking through the pop-up exhibition, Diallo reflected on the impact of the Class of '92, which included legends David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Wes Brown. "They are part of United history and we're proud of them," said Diallo, who scored 11 goals in 43 appearances this season. Mainoo, who made 37 appearances this season and hails from Stockport, was asked about the 'Holy Trinity' statue at Old Trafford, featuring Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best. "They built this legacy. It's part of our stadium and our history," said the 20-year-old midfielder. "It's what everyone wants to visit when they come to Old Trafford." Club captain Fernandes also weighed in on United's season and his ambitions for the future. "It's amazing to be part of the club," said Fernandes. "All the players you see here are amazing, and the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) in the photo is the most important figure in the club's past and present. "We want to build our own moments, for ourselves and for United, and become successful again." A full house is expected at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil for the friendly, adding another chapter to the club's long-standing bond with Malaysian fans.
