David Beckham and Gary Neville, co-owners of Salford City, have unveiled the League Two club's new home kit for the 2026-27 season, marking a return to the team's original orange and black colors and a redesigned badge.
Beckham, who purchased his first home in Salford at the beginning of his Manchester United career, spoke about his emotional connection to the city and the club's former training ground, Littleton Road. The facility, once used by Manchester United, has been leased to Salford City, with plans for renovation. "When you have someone like Nobby Styles training you, it's special," Beckham said, recalling the influence of the World Cup winner. "And that's why when we went back recently and we walked out onto Littleton Road, it's my first time I've been there for 25, 30 years for a long time. And I had to walk off on my own because I got emotional."
The decision to revert to orange and black was inspired by the club's history and the community. "All I remember is that Salford City black and orange banner," Beckham stated. "So, when obviously you guys took over and all of a sudden it was red, I was like, 'the first thing we have to do is take it back.'"
Beckham expressed his ambition to make orange synonymous with Salford City in club football, similar to how he has established the pink color with his MLS side, Inter Miami. The club's badge has also been reworked to incorporate a more historic style, featuring a lion prominent in Salford's history, alongside the Lancastrian red rose, symbolizing the important Salford Lads Club. Circles representing the gas works, a nod to the "famous dirty old town," have also been added.
"When you look at the history of Salford, you know, the lion is so prominent, but then we wanted to introduce the rose, you know, because the Salford Lads Club is such a an important institution in in Salford," Beckham explained. Neville added that the design elements are "a real nod to the history of Salford."
Beckham revealed he spent nearly seven months designing the kit and perfecting the shade of orange. The ownership group has offered to pay for tattoo removal for any fans who wish to have the previous logo removed after the changes.
Salford City recently faced disappointment after narrowly missing promotion to League One, losing the play-off final to Notts County. Despite this, the club is set to don its revived traditional colors in League Two for the upcoming season.