Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Hopkinson

Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs declare delight after Salford City promoted to Football League

David Beckham and Gary Neville led the celebrations as Salford City beat AFC Fylde to become a Football League side for the first time in their 79-year history.

The Ammies were in the seventh tier of English football when former Manchester United stars Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes each bought a 10 per cent stake in the club.

Fellow Class of ’92 member Becks bought his 10 per cent earlier this year.

And all but Scholes took their seats together with majority shareholder Peter Lim in a box here at Wembley to see goals from Mani Dieseruvwe, Carl Piergianni and Ibou Tourfay fire their club to promotion.

Their victory means Salford are the first club to reach the EFL with back-to-back promotions.

Salford City are heading into the Football League (Marc Atkins)

Man Utd's Class of '92 glory in Salford City's promotion to Football League

Gary Neville said: “We said we would do it in eight seasons, which we thought was quite aggressive, but once we got momentum we thought, ‘Just go with it’.

“We’re so proud and so delighted.”

Salford City owners Gary Neville and Peter Lim (Action Images via Reuters)

Giggs added: “It is different watching and obviously when we were playing you were part of it, you’re on the pitch.

“But it’s an amazing achievement by everyone to do with Salford, the fans, the players, the staff, Gary especially has put so much hard work in.”

Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander ordered Neville and the rest of Salford’s co-owners to get the drinks in after leading their side into League Two.

Alexander was planning to lead the charge to the bar to celebrate the achievement of becoming a league club for the first time.

Ryan Giggs applauds the Salford City fans (PA)

Alexander said: “I spoke to the owners on the pitch. They haven’t been into the dressing room but we’re going to meet up tonight.

“Who’s buying the drinks? It definitely isn’t me. I wouldn’t mind being a pound note behind those guys.

“We’ll all dip our hands in our pockets because you have to celebrate times like these.

“They give us so much support, especially in difficult times.”

Asked if the target for next season will be promotion from League Two, Alexander laughed and added: “Are you kidding?

“The target is to get as drunk as possible tonight, and to see my family because I’ve been pretty scarce for them.

“We have to enjoy what we’ve done this season today, the occasion of winning today — I’m going to leave the planning for 24 hours if that’s okay?”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.