David Beckham
The start the dreams that's made of, get in many ways the career of David Beckham was mapped out at a tenderous of ages, perhaps he was always destined to be a footballer in the red and white of United. Old enough to walk, old enough to kick a ball. Dad was a fanatic and he's young son was falling suite.
The formative schooling year, were formative footballing years. The boy David given his chance at the Chase Lane School in Chingford.
No bigger name, no better role model, and don't you think that Beckham's foot like Charlton's the ability to strike a ball so sweetly. To Beckham it was the history and the great players of that has attracted him to United and initially to a Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills Course at the age of 11.He came out on top.Top out of 5000.The prize was a two week trip to train with Terry Venables' Barcelona side. In 1987 David made another appearance in front of the United fans as the United mascot for the away game at Upton Park.
When it came to signing for a club, it was the hammers knocking intially at the Beckham back door asking for the all important signature. But it was Tottenham who offered their services when he first reached his teenage years.
You couldn't write a sweeter fairy tale. The boy's who's heart has been set on United finally saw his wish came true. Beckham signed on his 14th birthday, 2nd May 1989, the day United beat Wimbledon 1-0.
The class of 92', what an intake! A youth team dripping with talent, brought out the Manchester United's way. David Beckham has never felt more at home. The gambling youth has taken his place along side the Nevilles, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs & Paul Scholes. Not since the Busy Babes has United see such a dazziling aray of stars in the making. These was the youth team to top them all. These were glorios teenage years.
Having had a taste of playing for the senior United side it was more than a season before David got another chance. In September 1994 he made his first senior starting appearance against Port Vale in the League Cup. Two months later he scored his first goal for United. It was on a disappointing night for United, they were knocked out of Europe despite winning 4-0 against Galatasaray in the Champions League. However David scored a superb goal in front of the 38,301 fans at Old Trafford.
Alex Ferguson loaned David to Preston for a month in March 1995 so that he could gain some more experience. On his return David made his first league appearance for United in a 0-0 draw with Leeds at Old Trafford. He played a few more games in the senior United side that season. However it wasn't until the following season that he got an extended run, playing largely on the right side of midfield where Andrei Kanchelskis, who had been sold to Everton, had played the previous season.
In United's first Premiership match of the 1995-96 season against Aston Villa at Villa Park David came of the bench to play for the second half. United were well beaten that day prompting the now notorious Alan Hanson remark, "You can't win anything with kids". The one bright point for the United fans in an otherwise disappointing day was the wonderful strike from David to score his first Premiership goal. David confirmed that promise a few games later when he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over champions Blackburn at Ewood Park. Throughout the 1995-96 season David played regularly in the side and helped United win the Premiership, the first leg of the double. David also helped United complete the double by winning the FA Cup, notably scoring the winner in the semi final at Villa Park against Chelsea.
At the start of the 1996-97 season David was the player in form in the pre-season games. A fact he highlighted in the Charity Shield destruction of Newcastle where he scored United's third goal with a wonderful run and spectacular shot. He followed this up with the widely acclaimed goal of the season, scoring against Wimbledon from the half way line. David had his most successful season so far, becoming a United regular and helping them win the Premiership and get to the semi-final of the European Cup. However he suffered a dip in form towards the end of the season, a problem Alex Ferguson has tried to avoid this season by resting David at the start of this season.
At international level David represented England at Under 21 level in seasons 1994-95 and 1995-96. However at the start of the 1996-97 season Glenn Hoddle called David up to his first full England squad. Glenn is a huge fan of David's ability and the call up was a recognition of his excellent start to the season and showed that Glenn realises the huge potential that David has. When fit and available, David has played all the England games under Glenn and has shown his versatility operating both in midfield and at wing back.
Yet another mark of distinction, a rubber stamp for the pedigree that has take David Beckham from no where to stardom in a blink of an eye. Yet another title won, yet another medal. All top of with international recognition. The Ultimate Accolade.
Things are getting bigger and better.
Glen Hoodle's bright new England is David Beckham at his heart. The only player to have started every World Cup Qualifier for the England head coach. He's done it at every turn,every stage of his career and now England's aspect.
To David Beckham the future knows no bounds.
