Beckham and Neville lead consortium injecting $20M for the big Premier League dream

A new chapter is officially underway at Salford City Football Club. For years, the League Two side has been intrinsically linked with the famed Manchester United 'Class of 92'. Now, two of its most prominent figures, David Beckham and Gary Neville, are leading a new, expanded consortium, injecting "significant funds" and renewed ambition following the departure of previous majority shareholder Peter Lim in 2024. The transition sees other '92' members like Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs relinquish their stakes, though they will remain involved in various capacities.

Beckham and Neville's journey to this point involved months of meticulous searching for the right investment partners, rejecting avenues like multi-club models that didn't feel "authentic." They ultimately joined forces with a group of diverse business leaders, including new co-chairs Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies, who are expected to bring fresh expertise and resources to Moor Lane. The collective is reported to have amassed a substantial $15-20 million, earmarked for boosting the club's aspirations over the next half-decade.

'I always dream big...'

This isn't just about financial muscle; it's underpinned by a bold vision. The primary target is clear: promotion to the Championship within five years. But the dream doesn't end there. "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," Beckham revealed in an exclusive interview. However, he tempered this long-term ambition with a dose of realism, stating the immediate goal is "The Championship... but it’s step by step."

Other members of the new Salford ownership group

Frank Ryan (Co-chair, co-CEO, Americas Chair, DLA Piper)Shravin Mittal (founder of Unbound)Nick Woodhouse (executive vice chairman, Authentic Brands Group)Colin Ryan (founder, Clipper Street Capital)Dream Sports Group (Indian sports technology company)

The philosophy driving this new era is built on sustainability and a comprehensive "real plan around the club," rather than simply throwing money at player transfers. "We’re definitely not doing it for a laugh and it’s also not for the romantic side of things," Beckham asserted. "Yes, we care about the club — but we’re doing it to win." He stressed, "We’re not going to turn around and say: ‘OK, there’s a bunch of money, we have no plan but we have the money and now we’ll go and get the players’. That’s not how we work in business. It has to be sustainable." The aim, he added, is for Salford to be "taken seriously on the field, firstly, and then on the business side."

Inspired by Wrexham

The consortium draws inspiration from other notable club turnarounds. Beckham spoke of being "inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham," having discussed it with him multiple times and admiring the "exceptional" feeling created around the club. They are also motivated by the work at Birmingham City, aiming to replicate that sense of community and boost the existing fanbase.

The vision extends beyond the pitch to significant infrastructure development. "It’s not only growth on the field... but we want success," Beckham explained. "Because if we’re having success then we’re also having the opportunity to say: ‘Now we we’re going to invest, now we’re going to get a bigger stadium, now we’re going to get a bigger training facility and then it will go on." They also plan to innovate commercially, ramping up revenues through "different innovative ways" of content creation, as Neville feels strongly that owners are merely "guardians of football clubs for fans" who deserve behind-the-scenes access.

Underpinning this entire project is the profound personal connection Beckham and Neville share with Salford. For Beckham, who lived and trained there, it's a deep-seated tie. "Salford is actually everything that I love about football. Real people, real players, tough league, tough players," he shared, viewing it as a legacy project in British football.

Neville echoed this sentiment, describing a "sense of duty, loyalty and love" that has grown over the past decade. He highlighted that they chose this particular route and these partners because they are committed to doing things "for the right reasons," prioritizing local people, fans, and the community. This new consortium signifies a long-term commitment to sustainable growth and ambitious success, rooted in the club's identity and its place in the community.