Salford City have announced that they have released 17 players just days after David Beckham and Gary Neville finalised their takeover of the club.
United legends Beckham and Neville are leading a new ownership group at Salford, with Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs stepping away from the club.
The group of former United players owned 60 per cent of the club but Scholes, Phil Neville, Butt and Giggs have now given up their shares. Butt is no longer at the club but Scholes will continue to advise on player trading and Giggs will do likewise on football matters.
Beckham and Neville will be joined in their ownership by Declan Kelly, founder of U.S.-based advisory firm Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association.
The new ownership group at United are targeting Championship football within five years for Salford, who finished in eighth place in League Two this season.
Thee have been significant changes with regards to the playing staff, with a host of individuals set to depart.
Salford City have released 17 players days after Gary Neville and David Beckham’s takeover
Matthew Lund (left), who worked as a player-coach, is amongst those who will leave
Ryan Watson is another of the large contingent of players who will depart Salford
Midfielder Matthew Lund, who had been working as a player-coach, is amongst those set to leave, with Conor McAleny, who started his career at Everton, also departing. Liam Shephard and Ryan Watson will also leave.
Other players let go include Jon Taylor, Jez Davies, Marcus Dackers, Callum Morton, James Carr, Ben Collins, Liam Humbles, Sandro Da Costa, Jacob Hamman, Eze Bowen, Matty Cucos, Aiden Lancaster and Kamoy McNair.
Meanwhile, Salford have activated their options to retain the services of Ossama Ashley, Haji Mnoga and Luke Garbutt.
Salford have offered new contracts to Jamie Jones, Curtis Tilt, Tosin Olopade, Hakeeb Adelakun, Jai Curran-Nicholls, Alfie Henderson and Jacob Lara.
Tom Edwards, Kevin Berkoe, Cole Stockton, Kelly Nmai, Ben Woodburn, Dan Chesters, Junior Luamba, Rosaire Longelo, Josh Austerfield and Robbie Cleary all remain under contract.
Beckham and Neville are eager to replicate the success of Wrexham, who have earned promotion to the Championship under the ownership of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
