Last updated on .From the section Salford City

Gary Neville said Salford's star-studded owners have been "humble all the way through" since taking over

Salford City co-owner Gary Neville has been accused of trying to "steal" an English Football League spot by Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt in a row between the pair on social media.

The exchange came after National League Salford signed striker Adam Rooney from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.

The Irishman, 30, will earn a reported £4,000-a-week external-link at the non-league club after moving for an undisclosed fee.

In response, Neville suggested Holt wanted "franchise football" in the EFL.

When asked whose EFL place Neville's side would be "stealing", the former England and Manchester United right-back replied: external-link "Steal! I hope it's yours now! We've invested millions.

"You seem to want a franchise league where the established can't be challenged! We put a lot of money in and aren't embarrassed about it."

Gary Neville exchanged a series of Tweets with Andy Holt plus several fans

Holt, whose Accrington side won League Two last season, called for "an absolute cap on squad spending" and accused Salford of "buying their way in". external-link

He also appeared to reveal that Stanley were operating on a £1.1m budget.

Salford were promoted to the fifth tier for their first time in their history in April.

Owned by a group of ex-United players including Ryan Giggs and Neville, they have been promoted three times in four years and appointed ex-Scunthorpe boss Graham Alexander as their new manager in May.