David Prutton has admitted that a new level of investment at Salford City could take them to another level amid the news that the ‘Class of 92’ are preparing to sell to an unknown bidder.
Former Manchester United stars Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, and Nicky Butt joined forces in 2014 to invest in and take over Salford City, who were playing in the Northern Premier League Division One North at the time – the eighth tier of English football.
Following personal investment and the outside income of Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, they were quickly established in League Two by 2019 – a division they have remained in since.
This stalemate in terms of progression has led them to seek outside investment and according to Alan Nixon, new buyers have been in contact with club officials in recent days about a sale.
Gary Neville acquired Lim’s shares last August in anticipation of his departure at the end of the 2024–25 season. With the club now primed for a sale, a new owner could provide the fresh impetus needed to deliver the progression that Ammies supporters have been hoping for.
David Prutton makes Salford City owners claim
Having observed the rise of clubs such as Wrexham and Stockport County, David Prutton exclusively told Football League World that Salford will harbour similar ambitions to follow in their footsteps towards the Championship.
“A huge part of the attraction and the attention comes from those stellar names being attached to Salford City,” the former Nottingham Forest midfielder told FLW.
“If you look at other clubs that have aspirations to what Salford City wanted to do – get in the divisions and bounce their way up. You look at Stockport and Wrexham, how well they are cracking on, because there is that similarity with hefty financial backing.”
Speaking about the ‘Class of 92’, Prutton added: “They have all seemingly got more than one business interest. Having seen the work rate of Gary Neville, I am sure that is one of many strings to an already impressive bow.
“It depends who comes in – how they run it, what aspirations they have with it. To take them from where they have been to where they are is an achievement in itself, but, as ever with football, if you are not moving forward, you’re standing still.
“Maybe this next level of ownership and investment takes them a little bit further. The structure has to be right, the management has to be right and, above all, the playing staff has to be right.”
Salford City is an attractive purchase
Although Salford have been inconsistent this season, with five games remaining they are still very much in contention for a League Two play-off spot. Should Karl Robinson’s side secure promotion, the club would become an even more attractive proposition, with the opportunity to establish themselves as a solid League One outfit.
| League Two play-off race | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. | Team | PLD | GD | PTS |
| 7. | Grimsby | 42 | -1 | 66 |
| 8. | Colchester | 42 | +11 | 65 |
| 9. | Chesterfield | 42 | +15 | 62 |
| 10. | Salford | 41 | +6 | 61 |
| 11. | Crewe | 42 | +5 | 61 |
Even if they fall short, the Ammies remain a compelling investment for an innovative buyer. Based in Manchester, they benefit from strong pulling power when it comes to attracting players, and their ties to Manchester United continue to carry significant weight.
It feels as though the ‘Class of 92’ have taken the club as far as they can. The longer Salford remain in the fourth tier, the greater the pressure will become and a pre-summer sale could prove to be the right move, handing over the reins to someone capable of steering the club towards a brighter future.
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