Salford City FC has entered into a new era following the acquisition by a high-profile consortium led by former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and David Beckham.
Announced on 8 May, the new ownership group combines a mix of global business and sporting leadership experience, with US businessman Declan Kelly and former British banker Mervyn Davies joining as Co-Chairs of the club’s board.
The consortium has pledged significant investment across all areas of the club, which in a statement Salford highlighted as club, team and facilities.
Structured through a members’ club model, the nine-member group includes Dream Sports Group, India’s leading sports technology company; Clipper Street Capital Founder Colin Ryan; Frank Ryan, Global Co-Chair and Co-CEO of DLA Piper; Nick Woodhouse, Executive Vice Chairman of Authentic Brands Group; and Shravin Mittal, Founder of the investment firm Unbound.
Commenting on the acquisition, Neville said: “I am passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football. Football will come first, however, it’s critical that we drive the club towards sustainability in the next four to five years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
The League Two side appeared to be at a crossroads as reports surfaced that the club’s former owners, the ‘Class of 92’, were close to completing a deal to sell their stake in April.
Following a 2014 takeover, Salford City enjoyed a meteoric rise through the English football pyramid. The club climbed from the eighth tier of English football to League Two, earning four promotions in just five years.
However, momentum has stalled in recent seasons. The Ammies have struggled to secure a place in League One, narrowly missing out on the play-offs this season.
A major factor behind the recent ownership shift was the exit of Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, a key figure in the club’s ownership. Neville, part of the Class of ’92, acquired Lim’s shares last August in anticipation of his departure at the end of this season.
It had long been assumed that without Lim’s financial backing, the Class of ’92 would be unable to continue funding the club’s ambitions, a concern now realised with the change in ownership.
Still, the outlook remains optimistic. The new consortium includes experts from across industries, brought together to tackle any problem the club may face going forward. Additionally, with Neville and Beckham remaining involved, the club continues to benefit from high-profile visibility and commercial appeal, which isn’t usually afforded to a club of its size.
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.”
