Gary Neville (picture, left) has further endeared himself to local Manchester United fans after making a substantial cash donation towards the Maltese supporters branch’s drive to acquire their current premises in Sta Venera.

Confirmation of Neville’s financial input came yesterday evening when Joseph Tedesco, the president of the Manchester United Supporters Club (Malta) told members during an Extraordinary General Meeting that the England assistant manager had transferred a significant sum, believed to be in the region of €150,000, to help the committee raise the €350,000 needed to complete the purchase of their clubhouse in Sta Venera.

Having pledged to hand over the proceeds from his 2011 testimonial dinner, held at Manoel Island on June 28, to the MUSC, Neville has made good on his promise to the delight of the thousands of Maltese ‘Red Devils’.

The MUSC committee has been working on a viable plan to buy their premises for several months.

Apart from Neville’s contribution, the MUSC are also expected to launch a voluntary loan scheme and reports suggest that the initial feedback has been very encouraging.

Neville is regarded as a Manchester United icon after helping the club win a host of honours during Alex Ferguson’s glorious era.

The former right-back, a product of the United youth academy who went on to establish himself as a prominent player for club and country, collected eight Premier League titles and two Champions League medals during his 19-year career in senior football.

Neville’s affection for Malta and its people is well-documented as the 41-year-old describes Malta as his second home.

The former United stalwart, who is a key member of Roy Hodgson’s coaching staff with the English national team, had a short holiday in Malta last weekend.

It is understood that John Buttigieg, the former president of the MUSC who is a very close friend of Neville, has played a leading role in the discussions between the two parties.