Inter Miami

David Beckham, Gary Neville complete takeover of English club Salford City

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham looks on from the sideline before his team plays their MLS match against the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham looks on from the sideline before his team plays their MLS match against the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. mocner@miamiherald.com

David Beckham, who turned 50 last week, got himself a special birthday gift.

The Inter Miami co-owner on Thursday completed a takeover of English fourth-tier club Salford City, along with former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, as part of a new investment group.

Beckham and Neville, brother of ex-Inter Miami coach Phil Neville, had been shareholders in the League Two club since 2014 along with other members of the Manchester United Class of 1992.

Beckham grew up in Salford and posted the news on social media: “Salford played such an important role in my life growing up, it’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived. I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group, alongside my mate Gary Neville as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.”

Salford had been taken over by members of the Manchester United Class of ‘92 in 2014 along with billionaire Peter Lim, who is no longer a shareholder after Neville acquired his stake last year.

The teammates Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville relinquished their stakes in the club but will retain roles in the business and sporting side. The new consortium, which was formed by investment firm Consello, includes U.S. based businessman Declan Kelly, India-based Dream Sports Group and Mervyn Davies, the chairman of Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.

Kelly said, in a press release: “This new ownership group comprises some of the best in the world at what they do and has been put together for the sole purpose of driving the club forward. Utilizing the knowledge and skills of this group, our goal is to create a path to achieve new and sustainable success for SCFC both on and off the pitch.”

Since the takeover of the club in 2014, Salford City, which was in the eighth-tier at the time, was promoted four times in five years. It has remained in League Two since 2019.

This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM.

Michelle Kaufman
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.
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