Salford City are set to return to their traditional orange colours next season after an overwhelming majority of supporters backed the change, ending more than a decade of discontent over the club’s switch to red.
The decision comes 12 years after Salford’s identity was dramatically altered following the takeover by former Manchester United stars Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs, alongside Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim.
The 2013 rebrand was intended to modernise the club and align it with its new ambitions, but it instead triggered a storm among fans who viewed the shift from orange to red as a betrayal of Salford’s history.
Supporters made their opposition clear from the start, chanting “We are Tangerine” during matches and staging protests when the first red kits appeared.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Some even boycotted the opening fixture under the new ownership, refusing to attend as a mark of defiance.
Over the years, Salford’s owners have evolved.
Beckham acquired a 10 per cent share from Lim in 2019, a year after Neville had bought out the businessman’s initial stake.
JUST IN: Thomas Tuchel reveals concern over Marcus Rashford's career ahead of England match with Latvia
Salford City are set to return to their traditional orange colours next season after an overwhelming majority of supporters backed the change, ending more than a decade of discontent over the club’s switch to red
|PA
Earlier this year, Beckham and Neville completed a full buyout of their former team-mates’ shares, forming a new leadership group with businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies, the former banker and government minister.
Now, one of the earliest and most controversial decisions made under the “Class of ’92” era is being reversed.
In a heritage consultation exercise conducted by the club, 77.1 per cent of fans voted in favour of restoring the orange kit, a colour synonymous with Salford’s identity long before the glamour of the Manchester United connection.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
David Beckham and Gary Neville are co-owners of Salford City
| PAFor many, the result represents more than just a change of strip.
It marks a reconnection with the club’s roots and a symbolic closing of the gap between supporters and the board.
Neville, who now leads the ownership, has spoken publicly about wanting to strengthen that bond and give fans a greater say in shaping the club’s future.
Salford confirmed that the return to orange will be accompanied by a series of stadium upgrades ahead of next season.
“Significant work is to be undertaken at the Peninsula Stadium to update cladding and seats, among other infrastructure improvements already planned,” the club said in a statement.
Officials described the move as a defining step in the club’s evolution.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Gary Neville has been a co-owner at Salford City since 2014, with the club's colours set to change
| PA“This landmark choice will evolve the club into a bold new era by combining our tangerine heritage with modern style to create a striking orange identity,” the statement continued.
Supporters will also be consulted over the future of the club crest, with a second round of engagement planned in the coming months.
The decision to implement the change comes at a time where Neville has found himself the centre of controversy.
The 50-year-old recently suggested that a group of 'angry, white, middle-aged man' had hijacked Union Jacks and made them a political tool.
His words caused fury, with figures such as Lee Anderson and Nigel Farage criticising the former United star.
Neville won't be punished by Sky Sports, who have deemed that his comments don't breach their guidelines.