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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

Chairman of Class of 92-owned Salford City steps down after over 10 years

The chairman of Salford City, who are owned by the Class of 92, has stepped down after over 10 years.

Karen Baird has held the role at the League Two club while also running her own business, Champion.

She became chairman before the Class of 92 took over the club in March 2014.

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The club are co-owned by Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Singaporean businessman Peter Lim.

Nicky Butt succeeded Gary Neville as the club's chief executive towards the end of 2022.

In April, BusinessLive reported that Salford City posted pre-tax losses of £3.2m for the 12 months to June 30, 2022, compared to losses of £4.8m in the prior year.

Their turnover also improved from £3.1m to £3.5m over the same period.

Match day revenue increased from £216,420 to £618,474 while commercial income remained static at £2.9m.

Karen Baird said: "After an amazing 10 years as chairman of Salford City Football Club and with the club now under the full time stewardship of Nicky, Paul and Ryan, it feels the right time for me to step down.

"Since 2013, when I took the reins as chairman, we have had an unbelievable journey starting with the takeover in 2014 by the Class of '92, when we were in tier four of non-league, to the quick succession of three promotions in four years with Bernard and Jonno at the helm.

"The dream of an FA Cup run in 2015-16 was so exciting, and is probably still my favourite memory.

"The following season Graham Alexander led us to promotion via the play-offs at Wembley, a perfect day with all the fans that made us the first team to gain promotion from the National League to the EFL at the first attempt.

"At the same time we developed Moor Lane to become a 5,000-capacity stadium, ensuring our admittance into the EFL.

"Another trip to Wembley saw us win the Papa John’s Trophy, although the final was delayed by a year and very sadly took place without fans being able to attend, but it was still another great victory.

"We have a great head coach in place in Neil, and we have also had great results with our elite development squad, our academy system, and the Women’s team, so I know the club is in a good place and also know that it has so much more to come.

"I would like to thank all the fans, committee, owners, football and non-football staff, managers, and all the players who have helped our journey over the last 10 years, and my biggest thanks goes to Gary who believed in me to undertake this journey with him."

In a statement, the Class of 92 said: "Karen has been an inspiring figure at the club for many years and an outstanding leader both on the football and business side, and we really could not have done it without her.

"She worked committedly for the club and in the early years much of that was voluntary, highlighting just how much the club meant to her.

"We would all like to thank her for her dedication and wish her all the best in everything she chooses to do."

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