David Beckham and Gary Neville are heading to Wembley after watching their club Salford City secure a League Two play-off final spot 5,000 miles away at their Napa Valley holiday.
The Manchester United legends led a consortium buying their Class of ’92 team-mates out at the Peninsula Stadium last year, and after finishing fourth in League Two this season, the club contested a play-off semi-final against Grimsby on Friday evening in pursuit of a berth to Wembley.
But rather than taking in the second leg of the tie on home soil, Beckham and Neville put up their club’s flag Stateside and shared the picture on social media.
It would be a rollercoaster watch for the legendary United pair, with a goal from Kallum Cesay in the 116th minute securing a 2-2 draw on the night and a 4-3 win on aggregate to secure a place in the final against Notts County.
Beckham previously shared snaps of his travels in California wine country, alongside Neville and sports agent Dave Gardner, with the caption: ‘Great few days back in Napa with special people (wine glass emojis) 38 years of friendship between the 3 of us (red heart emoji).’
By contrast, former shareholders Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, along with Steve Bruce, were in the stands on a cold night in Salford, watching their team attempt to protect their 2-1 lead from the first-leg tie.
Salford took a giant step towards the League Two play-off final when, seven minutes in to the second half, Dan Udoh fired low into the bottom corner to send the Peninsula Stadium into raptures.
Gary Neville and David Beckham cheered on their Salford City team from thousands of miles away in California
Meanwhile former shareholder Ryan Giggs (pictured) joined Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes in the stands at the Peninsula Stadium
Flares were set off behind the goal as Scholes, Giggs and Butt were embraced by friends and family, the goal putting them ahead 3-1 on aggregate in the first of the semi-finals.
The expectation at Salford City going in to this season was that automatic promotion was a realistic ambition given they had what many sources said was a top six and competitive budget.
Finishing fourth was Salford’s highest ever finish in the English pyramid and while this was a nip-and-tuck game through 45 minutes, Neville and Co had a lot more to celebrate in the second when they turned on the style.
Grimsby Town made Neville and Co sweat when, in the 74th minute, Grimsby captain Kieran Green nodded in from an in-swinging corner to level it on the night and make it 3-2 to Salford on aggregate.
That sweat became full on panic when Grimsby Town got a second goal to lead on the night and level the tie at 3-3.
Jaze Kabia, sent on from the bench, converted from close range after a cross from the right. Salford were furious about an offside that wasn’t given but their protests were waved away as this semi-final threatened to slip away from them.
Scholes cut an anxious-looking figure as his side lost their early lead and faced extra time
The Manchester United legends are currently enjoying a wine-led holiday in Napa Valley
Just when the game looked destined to go to a penalty shootout however, Kallum Cesay produced the one moment of real quality in extra time by bursting between Grimsby’s centre backs and firing past an onrushing Jackson Smith in goal to send Salford to Wembley.
The Class of ’92 shareholders first began investing in the club in 2014, with Beckham investing in the club five years later in 2019.
Since the takeover, Salford have won four promotions, but have stayed stuck in League Two for six years.
Announcing his decision to take over ownership alongside Neville, and figures including Lord Mervyn Davies and businessman Declan Kelly, Beckham wrote: ‘Salford played such an important role in my life growing up… it’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived (red heart).
‘I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group alongside my mate Gary Neville as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.’
