Beckham, Neville Release 17 Players After Salford City Takeover

David Beckham and Gary Neville have taken full ownership of Salford City, buying out former co-owners including Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt, and immediately initiated a major squad overhaul by releasing 17 players following the club's failure to qualify for the League Two playoffs. Among those leaving are fan favorite and longest-serving player Matthew Lund, along with Liam Shephard, Conor McAleny, and Ryan Watson, all of whom were acknowledged for their contributions to the club. The club also released several academy players and ended loan deals with multiple players returning to their parent clubs. While these departures mark a significant change, some key players such as Ossama Ashley have had their contracts extended, as have Haji Mnoga and Luke Garbutt, signaling a mix of continuity and renewal. Beckham has expressed a hands-on role in the club’s future, inspired by the success of other football clubs, with ambitions to propel Salford City up the football league and toward sustainability. Neville emphasized a unique partnership focused on football and sustainability over the next four to five years, reflecting a clear vision for the club's progression under the new ownership structure.