Salford City’s quest to finally achieve promotion to League One has started by releasing 17 players just days after their latest takeover.
David Beckham and Gary Neville are now the sole co-owners of the League Two side after completing their acquisition last week.
The duo previously held a ten per cent share in the club alongside their ex-Manchester United teammates in Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
Beckham was the last Class of ’92 star to buy a stake in the club, doing so in 2019 – five years after his pals clubbed together to buy the club.
Following previous majority shareholder Peter Lim’s decision to depart in 2024, Beckham and Gary Neville have since assumed control, with their old teammates relinquishing their ownership.
And the new era of Salford has kicked off by releasing a host of players following the Ammies’ eighth-place finish in England’s fourth-tier.
One of the 17 players that is on the released list is fan favourite Matthew Lund.
The 34-year-old had been the longest-serving player on Salford‘s books having joined on a free transfer in 2021.
In total, Lund scored 26 goals across his 167 outings in all competitions.
Taking to X after the news broke, the midfielder posted: “Salford City it’s been a pleasure!
“Loved my four years at the club. Thanks to all the players, staff and fans.”
Elsewhere, attacking midfielder Conor McAleny and right-back Liam Shephard have also been let go after four years of service.
Lund had been a key player for Salford since joining the side four years agoGetty McAleny was another player that was a popular figure amongst the fansGettyThe duo featured in 141 and 92 games respectively for Salford, and they have been joined out the exit door by Ryan Watson.
Watson, who linked up at Salford in January 2022, chipped in with 17 goals and 11 assists in 137 games.
Salford have also confirmed they will not be extending contracts to Jon Taylor, James Carr, Callum Morton, Jez Davies, Marcus Dackers and Sandro Da Costa.
As for academy graduates Liam Humbles, Ben Collins, Aiden Lancaster, Eze Bowen, Matty Cucos, Jacob Hamman and Kamoy McNair, they too have been released.
Though in positive news for fans, they have triggered a contract extension for the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year in Ossama Ashley.
Haji Mnoga and Luke Garbutt have also had their deals extended, while contract offers to Jamie Jones, Curtis Tilt, Tosin Olopade, Hakeeb Adelakun, Alfie Henderson, Jai Curran-Nicholls and Jacob Lara have all been made.
Salford will be hoping the huge exodus of players can bring a much-needed change next season as they finally look to be promoted out of League Two.
Since joining the Football League for the first time in 2019, they have failed to get out.
Their best chance came two years ago when they finished seventh to scoop the last play-off spot, but they were dismantled 3-1 by Stockport in the semi-finals.
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