They’ve got 40 Premier League winners’ medals between them – now we’re about to find out how the Class of ’92 find life outside of the Manchester United bubble.
Neville brothers Gary and Phil, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt are in the thick of a second campaign as owners of Step 3 club Salford City and the full story of last season’s Evo-Stik NLP Division One North title success is to be laid bare in a BBC documentary – Class of ’92: Out Of Their League.
The first of two episodes airs on BBC One this Thursday at 9pm.
While many thought their arrival at Moor Lane was nothing short of a publicity stunt, chairman Karen Baird reckons the documentary will show how hands-on they really are.
“People might be surprised how passionate they are about it,” Baird said. “It’s not just putting their name to it and walking away. It’s a big thing for them.
“It’s not like five random businessmen taking over. They’re all footballers and it’s what they care about.”
The cameras follow the twists and turns of last season’s title triumph, including the decision to sack boss Phil Power and bring in joint-bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley from Ramsbottom.
And the stress is clear to see, with Scholes at one point asking: “Why did we buy a f****** football club?”
Of course the story had a happy ending with the title sealed while the Ammies were all together in a curry house waiting to hear the score of rivals Darlington.
“You couldn’t write the script,” Baird said. “Everyone’s commentating on Scholesy saying, ‘Why did we buy a f****** football club!’
“Gary says he’s never regretted it once, which I find hard to believe. They have loved it and Scholesy loves it as well. He’d rather be here than anywhere else.
“I think people will see how much they get involved.
“Especially Gary on the business side – he’s the brains behind it really. Phil came to training a lot before he went to Valencia too and they try to have at least one of them at every game.”
As well as learning about the famous five, the programme highlights the other characters at the club, none more so than well-known Non-League striker, and professional model, Gareth Seddon.
“People might find out a bit more than they need to about Gareth Seddon,” Baird laughed. “He’s very funny. I think he wants to be the next James Bond and this is his big break.
“He’s a model, so he’s perfect for it. The rest of us don’t want to be anywhere near the camera, but he loved it.
“It’s great for the club but great for Non-League football in general. People will get an insight into what it’s actually like at this level.”
