For almost exactly a year, David Beckham has been a co-owner of the English fourth-tier club Salford City. The goal: to propel the Greater Manchester-based club to the top. But that didn’t happen this summer.
On May 8, 2025, it was announced that David Beckham and Gary Neville would, together with a group of nine owners, take the reins at the English fourth-tier club Salford City FC.
Incidentally, none of these are unfamiliar faces to the “Ammies.” Back in 2014—when Salford City was still competing in the eighth-tier Northern Premier League Division One—“Project 92 Limited” took over the club in the city neighboring Manchester. It was a consortium of players from Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, backed by businessman Peter Lim (owner of Valencia CF, among other clubs). The group included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and the Neville brothers, Phil and Gary. In 2019, Beckham, who grew up in Salford, joined the team.
Disappointment at Wembley
And lo and behold: After a solid 2025–26 season—Salford finished fourth in the 24-team League Two with 81 points—the club reached the promotion playoff final against Notts County following a successful semifinal against Grimsby Town (2–1 and 2–2 after extra time).
But on this Monday afternoon, in front of over 30,000 spectators at the legendary Wembley Stadium, they suffered a bitter defeat. Coach Karl Robinson’s team lost 0–3 and were left with long faces after this decisive defeat.
Beckham and Neville, who had watched the game live from the Royal Box in 37-degree heat, were also there. Scholes and Butt, who had since sold their shares in the club, were also present—and watched as Alassana Jatta (32nd minute) and Lucas Ness (45th) sealed the deal in the first 45 minutes. Jodi Jones (70th) scored the decisive goal after halftime.
Notts County thus returned to the third tier following their relegation in 2015. Salford City must now make a fresh start in the competitive 2026/27 League Two season to advance to the third division for the first time in the club’s history.