GARY NEVILLE hit back at Jeff Stelling after the Soccer Saturday presenter slammed Salford City’s attendance.
Hartlepool fan Stelling, 68, watched his side lose 2-0 to Salford on Tuesday evening – a club co-owned by Neville and his ex-Manchester United team-mates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.
The result leaves Hartlepool three points adrift of safety in League Two with three games remaining.
Meanwhile, Salford occupy the final spot in the play-offs, sitting above Mansfield on goal difference having played a game more.
But Stelling was quick to focus on the size of the crowd for the fixture.
The Peninsula Stadium welcomed 2,139 fans in for the game – several hundred of which were the away contingent.
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And the Soccer Saturday host was quick to hit out at Salford for their attendance figure, citing Bradford’s regular 20,000 fans as a total that dwarfs the Greater Manchester-based club.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Did someone forget to tell fans of
@SalfordCityFC there was a game? 2,139 – 500 of those from @Official_HUFC [Hartlepool United]!
“Some may say they are an artificially created club. After all
@officialbantams [Bradford City] get 20000.
“And yes I know we will probably get relegated, but support your team ffs!”
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Neville swiftly leapt to the defence of his club as he responded to Stelling.
He replied: “We’re quite proud to have got to a crowd of 2,139 from an average of 120 and 40 season ticket holders 7/8 years ago in the Evo-Stik North!
“Hope the head isn’t too woolly when you get up 🍺🍷😂.”
When one user suggested Hartlepool’s attendance isn’t much higher than Salford’s, Neville added: “Founded in 1908 and have crowds of 3,500.”
Another follower then intimated it will be awkward when Stelling sees Neville in the Sky offices.
To which the former Man Utd man said: “Thankfully I don’t 😂.”
Salford secured four promotions in five seasons between 2015 and 2019.
The 2022/23 campaign is their fourth successive term in League Two, with 11th, 8th and 10th-place finishes to date.
But they are now into the play-off places as they seek a spot in the third tier.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
