### Gary Neville Rejects Claims of Jealousy Towards Wrexham After Beckham Joins Salford City Owners
Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain and co-owner of Salford City, has spoken out to counter suggestions that he holds any resentment or envy toward Wrexham FC’s recent surge up the English football pyramid under Hollywood stewardship. With Wrexham achieving three promotions in as many seasons since being acquired by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, comparisons have been drawn with Salford’s own meteoric rise – but Neville insists he is focused on his club’s future, not their rivals’ achievements.
Since 2021, Wrexham have grabbed the attention of global audiences. Their story, shaped by the investment and charisma of Reynolds and McElhenney, has seen the North Wales club rise from the National League to the Championship in record time. This rapid advancement has been widely celebrated, with the club’s “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary drawing in fans far beyond Wales. Meanwhile, Neville and his fellow “Class of ‘92” cohort, which includes Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, enjoyed an equally ambitious, if slightly earlier, journey with Salford City. Their investment in 2014 lifted the Ammies through four divisions in just five years, taking them from the Northern Premier League to League Two.
However, while Wrexham’s star has continued to rise, Salford City’s ascent has slowed slightly, with the club remaining in League Two since 2019. Earlier this year, the ownership group, including Neville and footballing icon David Beckham, announced an ambitious target: promotion to the Championship within five years. This ambition, they insist, is rooted in a long-term vision rather than any determination to keep pace with Wrexham’s headline-making run.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Neville addressed claims of jealousy head-on. “No, I don’t wish I was any other football club – I don’t work or operate like that,” he said candidly. Neville outlined his hopes that, under recent changes in ownership, Salford would progress both on and off the pitch, with aspirations to improve infrastructure such as the training ground and stadium and, crucially, to build a financially sustainable operation. “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,” he explained, reinforcing the sense of obligation shared by Salford’s owners.
The inevitable parallels between Salford and Wrexham have been pointed out by both fans and pundits, particularly given both clubs’ exposure through documentary series. Salford’s rise was detailed in a BBC series during the early days of the Class of ‘92 project, while Wrexham’s high-profile television presence has propelled them into the international spotlight. However, as Neville clarified earlier this year, not all journeys are identical. Salford’s current strategy relies less on personal wealth and more on growing revenue streams and creating longevity.
In comments made to The Overlap Fan Debate, Neville explained that both he and Beckham are prepared to commit financially over the next four or five years. However, he emphasised that the club’s long-term prospects depend on measured budgeting and gradual progress rather than a dramatic influx of cash. “We won’t change the budget, and to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years,” he said. Neville noted that player contracts and the existing club model require careful navigation, and he downplayed the idea of replicating the kind of financial injection seen at clubs like Wrexham or Birmingham City.
Unlike the significant investment pouring into some other clubs, Salford’s leadership is stressing patience, sustainability, and keeping football affordable and accessible for the local fan base. The aim, Neville says, is not just to chase success but to build it on strong foundations ensuring long-term health for the club.
This stance from Neville underscores the different philosophies at play in football club management, especially at a time when celebrity ownership is making headlines and dramatically altering the landscape for traditional clubs. While Wrexham’s rapid ascent is certainly a talking point – and a source of inspiration for many – Neville and his colleagues are determined to plot a path they believe is best for Salford City.
In a sport increasingly driven by big investment and blockbuster media deals, Salford’s approach offers an alternative blueprint. With Beckham now officially part of the ownership group, all eyes will be on whether Neville’s vision for gradual growth and sustainability can deliver results on par with Wrexham’s dazzling transformation.
For now, Gary Neville remains resolute: his commitment is to Salford City and to building sustainable success, whatever the noise elsewhere in the football world.