What a difference a year
or several years can make. David Beckham's breakthrough in to Manchester
United's first team came in the 1996-97 season. On the opening day of the
Premier League season he scored his world famous halfway line goal against
Wimbledon. He played a key role as Manchester United retained the Premier
League. That season Beckham was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. He then
picked up the number historic 7 shirt for the following season after Eric
Cantona had retired.
His England career began
on the 1st September 1996 against Moldova. He was involved in the qualifying
campaign for the France 1998 World Cup. However, because Glenn Hoddle thought
he wasn’t concentrating on the tournament, he didn't start for the first two
matches in France. The 3rd match against Colombia saw him start and scored his
first goal for England.
Unfortunately, he became
the scapegoat for England's Quarter Final penalty defeat to Argentina. After
England’s exit from the tournament he received horrendous abuse and threats.
Furthermore, at many away grounds the next season he was subject to taunts from
the home fans.
However, he went on to play a key role in helping Manchester United
win the treble the following domestic season (1998-99). People began to forget
he 'had cost England the World Cup Trophy'. Certainly the United fans would
have forgotten about it!
Regrettably, some England
fans hadn't forgotten about the 1998 Quarter Final incident and he received
abuse at the Euro 2000 match in which England lost to Portugal. He stuck up his
middle finger to those fans insulting him. An action which then manager Kevin
Keegan defended because of the horrible nature of the taunts. Many newspapers that
had once encouraged the vilification of Beckham now called for an end to the
abuse.
In November 2000 he
received a call from Peter Taylor appointing him captain for a friendly match
against Italy. Beckham thrived in this role and despite a defeat; he impressed
people with his leadership skills. He also managed to keep his head after
Gennaro Gattuso tried to wind him up all game. This was a massive sign that he
had matured since the 1998 World Cup. When Sven-Göran Eriksson was appointed England
manager he decided to keep him as captain. A decision that Beckham repaid with
vital goals and assists in the qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup in South
Korea & Japan. THAT goal against Greece is famous all over the world. He
was a national hero securing automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup in
such dramatic fashion. He was now lauded over and all thoughts of St. Etienne
in 1998 seemed to have evaporated.
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| THAT Goal v Greece |
Leading up to the 2002
competition he was seen as an important player for England's chances of success
in Japan and South Korea, just like any captain would be. There was devastation
around the country after he was carried off injured with the infamous
metatarsal injury that went on to haunt England players. I can never forgive
Aldo Duscher for that tackle. He cost England the World Cup!
Beckham wasn't 100% fit
but we needed him and he was on the plane to the World Cup, just about making
it in time. Though not near full fitness he stepped up. In the opening match
for England, he set up Sol Campbell's goal against Sweden. The second game
against Argentina was hyped up to be a great game. And boy it was. The Sapporo
Dome stadium was an incredible venue for England's and Beckham's chance to
rewrite the wrongs of tournaments passed. When Michael Owen was felled in the
penalty area by Mauricio Pochettino England had a huge chance. Beckham put the
ball down and was extremely focused on the task ahead. It was his opportunity
to put the memories of 1998 firmly behind him and he delivered! England played
some great football and, thanks to a wonderful David Seaman save, went on to
win the game.
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| Sweet Revenge |
Sadly, a Quarter Final
defeat to Brazil put them out of the competition. Nonetheless after the game
Beckham showed us once again why he was the man for the captaincy when he consoled
the devastated players. People had seemed to forget that he was 'to blame' for
the defeat in 1998.
His successes with Manchester
United and frequent contributions to goals for the national team had restored
the belief from fans. The wonder-goal against Greece had cleared a lot of
people's negativity towards him and his penalty against Argentina showed how
far he'd come mentally. People loved him for his football and his leadership.
He
came through such adversity and torment changing his career for the best.
Inspirational! He will always be my boyhood hero and favourite footballer. David Beckham was a top
player with a wand of a right foot, a great professional and a brilliant
advocate for the game.
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