DAVID BECKHAM

Birthplace:
Leytonstone, 2/5/1975
Height:
180cm - 5ft 11in
Weight:
66.68kg - 10st 7lb
Full International:
England (16 caps, 1 goal)
Position:
Midfield
Squad Number:
7
Debut:
23.09.1992
Appearances (1992-1998):
155 - 19 as sub
Goals:
33

David Beckham was born in Leytonstone on 2nd May 1975. After having trials with Leyton Orient and attending Tottenham Hotspurs' school of excellence, he signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991. As a schoolboy he represented Essex Schools. On 2nd April 1995, David Beckham made his League debut at home to Leeds United. His first team debut had come two and a half years earlier when he came on as a substitute, 20 minutes from time, during the away leg of a League (Rumbelows) Cup second round tie, at Brighton and Hove Albion on 1st October 1992. It was in United's 1995-96 double winning season when Beckham established himself in the first team. Playing mainly right midfield (although his preferred position is central midfield) to fill the void left by the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis. It is Beckham's goals however, which have made him a household name, scoring the winner in the F.A. Cup semi-final against Chelsea and scoring 'that goal' from the half way line on the first game of the 1996-97 season at Wimbledon. His performances have caught the eye of the England manager, Glenn Hoddle, who gave him his full debut on 1st September 1996 versus Moldova in Kishinev. Prior to this Beckham has been capped at youth and under-21 level. Beckham was a member of Manchester United's highly successful F.A. Youth Cup team, collecting a winners' medal in 1992, (scoring in the away leg at Crystal Palace) and a runners-up medal in 1993. He also qualified for a Pontins Central League medal in 1994, playing 16 games for the reserves. It was during the 1996-97 season that Beckham came of age, proving to be a permanent fixture in the England and United team. His match winning performances for Manchester United, during the 1996-97 season were enough to convince his fellow professionals to vote for him in the P.F.A. awards. He won the P.F.A. Young Player of the Year award and came second in the P.F.A. Player of the Year. In the same year he also helped United to the European Cup semi-final and another Premier League Championship. Did You Know? When David Beckham was 12, he won a Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills award. The award was presented to him at Old Trafford on a match day. The prize included a trip to the Nou Camp stadium, Barcelona. David Beckham’s parents are Manchester United supporters. On Saturday 22nd February 1997 David Beckham scored the equalising goal v Chelsea. The goal was measured at 97.9 mph. As a youngster one of David Beckham’s idols was Glenn Hoddle (the current England Manager). In the 1994-95 season he scored for Manchester United in the European Champions League and for Preston North End in the Third Division.

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