The part-owner of Salford City, Gary Neville, maintains that he isn’t jealous of the achievements of Wrexham, a team backed by Hollywood stars, who have moved from the non-league level to the Championship in just three campaigns.
The Welsh club – which is owned by Ryan Reynolds, the star of Deadpool, and Rob McElhenney, the star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, if you somehow forgot – has ascended through the divisions at an incredible rate, enjoying an unprecedented third straight promotion at the conclusion of the previous season.
There was a period when Neville’s Ammies were the team generating headlines and infused with celebrity status, when the former defender for Manchester United and some of his Class of ’92 colleagues acquired the club back in 2014.
Neville on Salford City’s Wrexham comparisons
Salford achieved four promotions in a five-year span, with a BBC camera crew documenting their journey, well before Reynolds and McElhenney’s Welcome to Wrexham debuted on Disney+ and brought global recognition to the Welsh team, then in the non-league.
Neville and his close friend David Beckham finalized a purchase of the other Class of ’92 members in May, transferring ownership of Salford City to a new group, which also includes Lord Mervyn Davies, a former banker.
This occurred following the stalling of the Ammies’ progress in the 2010s, with the club remaining in League Two for the last six seasons, witnessing Wrexham overtake them. However, Neville, who was ranked at no.48 in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest Premier League players ever, insists he is not feeling any envy.
“No, I don’t wish I was any other football club, I don’t work or operate like that,” he told FourFourTwo. “With new owners, we’ve got a plan whereby in four to five years, I’d like to think Salford would be more successful on the pitch. That’s the hope.
“We will also have invested in our training ground and stadium, and be in a position whereby we can achieve sustainability.
“That’s the real drive of this ownership, to grow revenues, be successful on the pitch, become sustainable and ensure we still meet those values of being affordable and accessible that we had from day one. There’s a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in, but we’re committed and that’s the most important thing.”
Salford will commence their 2025/26 League Two journey with a home match against Crewe Alexandra as they aim to improve upon last season’s eighth-place result, where they concluded just a single point outside of the play-off places.
Neville’s business of football degree will begin in September, with further entry points available in November, January, February, April and June. Applications are now open – for more information, visit UA92.ac.uk
