Portroe man forms soccer club ownership group alongside David Beckham and Gary Neville

Consello, the leading global advisory and investing platform founded by Tipperary businessman Declan Kelly, has today announced its participation in the formation of a new ownership group of English soccer club, Salford City FC (SCFC).

The club will be led by David Beckham and Consello Partner and Chairman of Consello Sports in the UK, Gary Neville, and new club co-chairs Declan Kelly, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, Chairman of LetterOne, Chairman of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and Chair of Consello’s Advisory Board.

The group, which Kelly and Lord Davies were instrumental in convening, unites members with exceptional experience from the highest levels of business and sport, allowing SCFC to leverage the range of expertise to elevate different aspects of the organization. Additional owners include Dream Sports Group (India’s leading sports technology company), Colin Ryan (Founder, Clipper Street Capital), Frank Ryan (Global Co-Chair, Global Co-CEO, and Americas Chair, DLA Piper), Nick Woodhouse (Executive Vice Chairman, Authentic Brands Group), and Shravin Mittal (Founder of Unbound).

Co-Chair Declan Kelly said: “This new ownership group comprises some of the best in the world at what they do and has been put together for the sole purpose of driving the club forward. Utilizing the knowledge and skills of this group, our goal is to create a path to achieve new and sustainable success for SCFC both on and off the pitch.”

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Co-Chair Lord Mervyn Davies added: “Consello has convened the right people at the right time to ensure that this club’s remarkable story over the past decade can be maintained and built on. When you combine the unmatched business and sport expertise of this group, the fans can look to the future of the club with confidence. I look forward to working with Declan and the rest of the ownership group to bring our shared vision to Salford City FC.”

Former Manchester United Captain and Salford City Co-Owner, Gary Neville stated: “Having been a part of Consello for over a year now, I’ve seen firsthand its ability to drive business and commercial success and how it can translate to sport. I’m excited to partner with everyone involved on this journey to support a club we’re all so passionate about in Salford City.”

Janey Whiteside, Chief Growth Officer of Consello, added: "We’re thrilled to be partnering with Salford City and I look forward to helping accelerate the broader commercial opportunity for the club. We're building something special here - I'm excited to lean in as we transition toward a digitally native model and give fans more access to the club."

Whiteside will lead the development of a new commercial strategy for SCFC. She brings extensive operating expertise in this area, having served as Walmart’s Chief Commercial Officer and having spent over 20 years in senior management roles across business development, marketing, and operations at American Express. Her efforts, coupled with Consello’s investment, underscores the shared commitment to the long-term success of SCFC while recognizing the dynamic and growing intersection of business and sport.