Gary Neville reveals Salford City almost signed Premier League player

Gary Neville reveals Salford City almost signed Premier League player Charlie Goode, who is impressing in the top flight with Brentford.

The Bees defender has so far made six appearances this season, and has started the last four matches for Thomas Frank’s side.

However his career could have panned out differently for the 26 year old with Salford’s co-owner and former Manchester United star Gary Neville revealing that the centre-half almost joined the Ammies back in the summer of 2019.

What a feeling! Big win under the lights 🐝❤️ pic.twitter.com/VYpdQ1G7Q7

— Charlie Goode (@Charlieegoode) December 11, 2021

Speaking on Sky Sports prior to Brentford sealing a win over Watford, Neville admitted his club missed out on signing him.

Neville, along with a number of his ex-Manchester United teammates including brother Phil and Paul Scholes purchased a controlling stake in the then-non league club in 2014.

They have invested heavily since then, transforming the club’s infrastructure, and stadium, while turning them into a professional team and guiding them into the EFL.

Neville says the club were in direct discussions with Goode’s agent when he was playing for Scunthorpe United in centre-back.

But at the last minute, just as a deal looked set to be signed on the dotted line, Neville claims that Goode’s agent asked for more money and so the deal fell through.

Goode had been out on loan at Northampton Town in the first part of 2019 and after the Salford deal collapsed he then eventually return to Sixfields on a permanent basis in the summer, leaving the Ammies rather miffed as missing out on him.

He was placed as captain of the Cobblers and went on to play a huge role as Keith Curle’s side by winning promotion from League Two after hitting four past Exeter City at Wembley in the playoff final.

That would prove to be Goode’s last act at Northampton and he was signed in the summer of 2020 by Brentford for a six-figure fee and made a name for himself.

He was limited to just eight league appearances last season as Brentford won promotion to the Premier League but he is now back to full fitness and looking to keep a place in the first team.

Friday’s victory against Watford took Frank’s side to 20 points – ten clear of the relegation zone. The Bees face Manchester United on Tuesday night with it set to be another exciting watch.

GOODE’S CAREER:

Youth career
–2005 – Watford
2005–2012 – Fulham
2012–2013 – Harefield United

Senior career
2013–2014 – Hadley – 4 games (3 goals)
2014 – A.F.C. Hayes – 12 games (1 goal)
2014–2015 – Hendon – 26 games (2 goals)
2015–2019 – Scunthorpe United – 64 games (5 goals)
2019 → Northampton Town (loan) – 17 games (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Northampton Town – 36 games (3 goals)
2020– Brentford – 14 games (0 goals)

National team
2015 – England C – 1 game (0 goals)

Gary Bowyer’s Salford side are currently 17th in the League Two table and lost 2-1 away at Mansfield Town, 9 points from the playoffs and 8 above the drop zone.

Bowyer believed that referee Anthony Backhouse gave a crucial free kick the wrong way which proved a turning point in his side’s defeat at Field Mill.

Backhouse felt Theo Vassell had committed the foul, however Bowyer disagreed.

“I thought we started very well and took the game to a team that had won eight of their last nine games,” said Bowyer.

“We scored a very good goal from a set piece and had another great opportunity.

“I thought for 30-35 minutes we controlled the game and we made them change their shape.

“But the game changed on a free kick when Theo Vassell was clearly fouled and the referee gave it the other way.

“That said, once it’s been given against us we have to defend it and it was an appalling goal to concede.

“To compound that we then go and concede another. They should not be able to score from there if we line the wall up proper.”

Bowyer was impressed by home striker Rhys Oates, who netted the equaliser.

“You look at their centre forward today – he never stopped running and putting defenders under pressure,” he said.

“I felt towards the end of that first half we stopped putting them under pressure up top.

“We have not been played off the park. Second half we’ve camped in their half but we’ve just not had enough quality in the final third to unlock them.

“Credit to Mansfield. They run hard, they’ve got energy all over the pitch, they close down and they make it difficult for you.”

Bowyer said: “There is nothing in this league. I know people will go – look where you are in the table.

“Mansfield have just won nine out of 10 after not winning for 14 games. That shows you this league. There is nothing to be scared of.

“That was our first league defeat in five and we need to regroup and go again.”