Gary Neville has become the majority share owner of Salford City Football Club after acquiring Peter Lim’s stakes in the club.
The acquisition marks the end of Singaporean billionaire Lim’s 10-year tenure with the club. Neville and other class of ’92 alumni Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville partnered up with Lim to take over Salford City as part of a collective bid in 2014.
The former teammates combined for a 60 per cent share in the club’s ownership, while Lim controlled the remaining 40 per cent.
Ex-Manchester United and England footballer Neville previously served as CEO of the club since joining as a co-owner. In October 2022, he stepped down from the position to focus on his other responsibilities. Fellow Class of 92er Butt replaced Neville as the club’s CEO.
Since the 2014 takeover, the club has enjoyed a meteoric rise, earning five promotions in nine seasons. However, the club has stalled in League Two since earning promotion to the fourth tier in 2019. Salford have employed five different managers since their takeover, while also paying some of the highest wages in League Two.
On Lim’s departure, the club said in a statement: “We cannot thank Peter enough for his support, friendship, belief and loyalty to us for over 10 years, not only in Salford City but in other projects that we have worked on together.
“Peter has been integral in helping to create a legacy at Salford City that we are now determined to build on.”
CEO Butt added: “Peter’s support has allowed us to become an established League Two club with a unique ownership. We are committed to the future growth of this club in the best interests of the supporters, stakeholders and the local community.
“We continue to explore options to potentially work with additional new strategic partners to assist us in achieving our ambitions for the club. We are as excited as ever about the new football season and remain focused on strengthening our playing squad and achieving future success on the field alongside the continued development of the football club.”
