Tipperary-born businessman Declan Kelly has joined forces with two of football’s most iconic names—David Beckham and Gary Neville—to lead a new consortium that has officially acquired Salford City Football Club. The deal was confirmed this week and marks a significant moment in the evolution of lower-league English football. The ownership group also includes Lord Mervyn Davies, former chairman of Standard Chartered, forming a high-powered team with both footballing and business credibility.

Declan Kelly’s Strategic Involvement

Declan Kelly is not just a silent investor. He will serve as co-chair of the club alongside Lord Davies. As the founder and executive chairman of The Consello Group, Kelly brings decades of global business experience to the table. His firm will also lead the club’s commercial development both in the UK and internationally. Kelly, who has advised some of the world’s largest companies, said the group’s aim is to create a “world-class football club built on professionalism, ambition, and community values.”

Beckham and Neville Double Down

David Beckham and Gary Neville, long-time stakeholders in Salford City and members of the original “Class of ’92” that helped take the club professional, are not stepping away—they’re doubling down. Beckham said: “This club means the world to us. It’s not just about football—it’s about what we’re building in Salford.” Neville added that the diversity of the new group “will help bring the club to the next level, both on and off the pitch.”

Building for the Future

The new consortium isn’t just buying the club to maintain the status quo—they have a roadmap. Their ambitions include infrastructure improvements, investment in the playing squad, and enhancing the match-day experience. Salford City currently competes in League Two, and the new owners have publicly stated their ambition to bring the club into the Championship within the next five years.

A Diverse and Experienced Team

The group of investors includes figures from technology, law, sports, and finance, among them Dream Sports founder Harsh Jain and London-based entrepreneur Shravin Mittal. This unique blend of experience across industries is designed to professionalise every aspect of the club’s operations and expand its global reach.

What It Means for Irish Sport

For Irish football fans, having a native like Declan Kelly in a prominent leadership role at an English club is a major milestone. It represents another bridge between Irish business and global sport. Kelly’s success could serve as inspiration for other Irish entrepreneurs interested in investing in football or sport more broadly.

Looking Ahead

The move has been met with widespread interest from fans and analysts alike. With Declan Kelly’s commercial expertise and Beckham and Neville’s football legacy, Salford City FC may be on the brink of its most exciting chapter yet.

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