A seismic shift in the landscape of English lower-league football was confirmed today as Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville were announced as the leading figures in a new consortium completing the takeover of League Two side, Salford City Football Club. This landmark Salford City Football Club Takeover signals a fresh wave of ambition and significant financial investment aimed at propelling the Ammies to unprecedented heights, drawing intrigue and excitement from across the footballing world.
The deal marks a significant restructuring of the Salford City Owners and signifies a new chapter for a club already steeped in the narrative of the famous ‘Class of ’92’. While Beckham and Neville were already co-owners, this move consolidates their leadership and brings in a powerful new group of investors.
The Detailed Story of the Salford City Takeover
The journey to this new ownership structure has been a meticulous process. Following the departure of majority shareholder Peter Lim in 2024, both David Beckham Salford City and Gary Neville embarked on an extensive search for investment partners. Their goal was clear: to find individuals and entities who not only shared their passion for football but also possessed the acumen and resources to drive Salford City towards a sustainable and successful future. Several avenues were reportedly explored, including multi-club models and direct singular ownership, but these were ultimately deemed not to align with the “authentic” vision held for the club.
The culmination of this search sees Beckham and Neville joining forces with a formidable group. Key figures in the new consortium include Declan Kelly, the founder of US-based advisory firm Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, the current chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association. Both Kelly and Lord Davies will take on crucial roles as new Co-Chairs of the Club’s Board, bringing a wealth of experience from the highest echelons of business and sport.
The acquisition has been uniquely structured through a members’ club comprising nine shareholders. This diverse group includes Dream Sports Group (India’s leading sports technology company), Colin Ryan (Founder of Clipper Street Capital), Frank Ryan (Global Co-Chair, Global Co-CEO, and Americas Chair at DLA Piper), Nick Woodhouse (Executive Vice Chairman of Authentic Brands Group), and Shravin Mittal (Founder of Unbound).
This collective is believed to have raised a substantial sum, reportedly in the region of $15-20 million, earmarked to fuel Salford’s “sporting and infrastructural ambitions” over the next five years. Each member of this new group will hold either a 5 per cent or 10 per cent stake, accounting for 80 per cent of the ownership, with the remaining 20 per cent strategically reserved for additional future partners.
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
The New Salford City Owners and Their Vision: Who Owns Salford City Football Club Now?
With the Salford City Takeover complete, the question of “Who Owns Salford City Football Club?” is answered with a diverse and globally experienced consortium, fronted by two of football’s most recognisable names. The new ownership group is not merely providing passive investment; they are set to be actively involved in steering the club’s strategic direction.
Declan Kelly’s firm, Consello, is poised to play a significant role in revolutionising the club’s commercial strategy. This will be spearheaded by Janey Whiteside, Chief Growth Officer of Consello and former Chief Commercial Officer at Walmart, indicating a serious intent to expand Salford City’s commercial footprint across the U.K., U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Gary Neville, a constant presence at Salford since the initial Class of ’92 investment in 2014, expressed his enduring passion: “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 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
David Beckham Salford City: A Personal Connection and Ambitious Goals
The involvement of David Beckham Salford City adds a global superstar’s touch and a deep personal resonance to this venture. Beckham, who also co-owns MLS side Inter Miami, spoke candidly about his commitment: “I will be over every big decision that’s made and every little decision that’s made. That’s what my commitment is to Gary. It’s what my commitment is to the club.”
His connection to Salford is more than just a business interest. “I grew up in Salford….I have such fond memories of my time living there and the place and its people played such an important part in my early life in football,” Beckham stated. “Salford City is at the heart of its community….it has a rich history and I am delighted to be a part of the next chapter.” He recalled training at The Cliff in Salford for many years and buying his first house there with Victoria.
A Calculated Gamble on Growth
The Salford City Football Club Takeover represents a calculated move by seasoned football figures and astute business minds. The initial Class of ’92 project saw Salford achieve a remarkable four promotions in five years. However, progress has stalled somewhat since reaching League Two, with the club finishing just outside the play-offs this season after six campaigns in the fourth tier.
The new structure and financial backing aim to break this ceiling. The emphasis on diverse expertise within the ownership group – spanning finance, law, media, technology, and entertainment – suggests a holistic approach to club development. It’s not just about funding a promotion push; it’s about building a resilient and commercially viable football club.
As Declan Kelly and Mervyn Davies stated jointly: “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.”
The Future of Salford City Football Club After This Salford City Football Club Takeover
The future for Salford City Football Club under its new stewardship looks brighter and more ambitious than ever. The immediate tasks will be the appointment of a chief executive and the strategic deployment of the newly raised capital to strengthen the playing squad and club infrastructure.
Fans will be keenly watching how these plans translate into on-pitch success. The target of Championship football within five years is bold but, given the track record of those involved and the resources now at their disposal, not unattainable. This Salford City Takeover is more than just a change of hands; it’s a statement of intent, a commitment to legacy, and a promise of exciting times ahead for the Ammies and their supporters.
The immediate impact of the Salford City Football Club Takeover will be the injection of capital, but the long-term strategy focuses on sustainable growth. Neville emphasized this: “We have to be successful on the pitch, we have to invest in the local area, and we also need to look at our infrastructure; the stadium and training ground. We’ve invested heavily over the last 10 years, and we’ll invest heavily again in this next four or five years — but we need to get this club on a firm footing financially and get balance into this club.”
