Salford City’s ownership group, led by Gary Neville and David Beckham, has helped transform the club since the Class of 92 takeover began in 2014. Neville and Beckham later took control of the club, while the other former Manchester United players in the group — Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville — remain involved in different capacities. Their continued presence has still been felt around the club, with manager Karl Robinson pointing to the amount of day-to-day commitment and behind-the-scenes work they have put in over the years.
Robinson highlighted examples of that commitment, saying Giggs once drove all the way to an away match at Colchester despite his baby being due that weekend, just so he could be on the bench. He also praised Butt for the huge number of meetings and the level of work he put into the club when Robinson first arrived. Scholes, Robinson added, has been a regular presence at the training ground since the summer, often there almost every day and clearly enjoying being involved.
On the field, Salford have come close to another step forward in recent seasons, but promotion to League One has remained elusive. Their best chance came three years ago when they reached the play-off semi-finals before losing to Stockport County. Since winning four promotions in five seasons under the Class of 92 through to 2019, the club has now spent seven years without another rise.
Despite the pressure that often comes with promotion ambitions and the profile of the ownership, Robinson said he has not felt burdened by expectations from the club’s high-profile backers. He described Neville’s communication as steady and consistent, saying the message has always been the same whether results are good or bad. That stability, he said, has mattered to him throughout his time at Salford and has strengthened his determination to help deliver promotion.
The club’s progress has been built on long-term involvement rather than celebrity ownership alone, with Robinson portraying the former United players as deeply invested in the project. Their ongoing commitment, he suggested, remains an important part of Salford’s identity as they continue to chase a return to stronger league status.
