SOCCER: David Beckham has turned himself into a huge favourite with all English football fans over the course of the last couple of years or so. Long gone are the days when he was jeered at Manchester United away games soon after his sending of in the World Cup finals against Argentina in France in 1998.
DAVID Beckham has turned himself into a huge favourite with all English football fans over the course of the last couple of years or so.
Long gone are the days when he was jeered at Manchester United away games soon after his sending of in the World Cup finals against Argentina in France in 1998.
The midfield star has since taken over the England captaincy and currently holds as much respect as any player in the world.
It is long while ago now that a shy young lad representing Waltham ran out on to the Cranes pitch in Playford Road, Rushmere representing Essex Schoolboys in an Under-15 match against Suffolk.
James Scowcroft was in the Suffolk side. The referee was Alan Deller, now unfortunately lost to senior games, and the reason I am reminded of this schoolboy match was a recent bedroom clear-out by my eldest son Daniel.
He unearthed Suffolk Schools' stalwart Norman Smith's programme – Daniel was one of Deller's linesmen – and on close inspection found the names of Beckham and Scowcroft.
It certainly gave him a buzz to find he had officiated in a game involving a lad who has become such a superstar.
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