David Beckham Story

David Beckham was a star pupil at the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools from 1986-1988.

He first came to Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools as an 11 year old in 1986. During his time with us, David was tested on the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools Skills Tests. He gained top place in his coaching group and went through to our National Skills Final held at Old Trafford, Manchester United.

David competed against 100 finalists from throughout the UK & Ireland. He won the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools National Skills Final with a total of 1,100 points. Mark Price age 16 came 2nd with 950 points and Dean Lonsdale aged 13 came 3rd with 940 points.

The prize for winning the Bobby Charlton National Skills Final was a 1-week visit to Barcelona Football Club. He met the manager Terry Venables (Ex-England Manager) and the Barcelona players including Mark Hughes (Wales and Ex-Manchester United).

Bryn Cooper is a UEFA ‘A’ Licensed Coach and a Coaching Director for Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools. Bryn was Director of our courses during the time David spent with us. Bryn’s comments are interesting reading for any aspiring young soccer player.

“David had tremendous ability as a young boy. Such was his ability that in 1988 he was transferred from the 13-year-old age group to an older age group. Despite this, David still achieved the highest skills score in this older age group.

In addition to his natural ability, David displayed a fantastic work ethic and a great deal of determination, which meant he was continually practising his individual skills. It was clearly evident to the coaches at Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools that David was completely focussed on becoming a professional footballer.”

After signing for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991, he helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace.

On 23 September 1992, David made his first team debut as a substitute in the Rumbelows Cup tie at Brighton and Hove Albion. However, he then had to wait a further two and a half years to make his League debut.

During this time, he collected a runners-up medal in the 1993 FA Youth Cup and a reserve team championship medal in 1994. He also played five matches on loan for Preston North End, scoring two goals.

David made his Premier League debut at home to Leeds United on 2 April 1995. During the 1995/96 season he really established himself in the first team. The season was successful with Manchester United winning the Premiership title and the FA Cup.

David started the 1996/97 season by scoring from the halfway line against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. He won his first senior England cap on 1st September 1996 against Moldova. He had previously been capped at Youth and Under 21 level for England.

He was voted Young Player of the Year for the 1996/97 season and came second in the overall Player of the Year poll. In the same season he also helped Manchester United win another Premiership title and reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.

During the 1997/98 season David was selected for England’s World Cup Finals squad. Manchester United came runners-up in the Premiership and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

The 1998 World Cup provided mixed feelings for David. On a high point he scored a stunning free kick for England against Colombia. However, he was then sent off later in the tournament during the second round defeat against Argentina.

Some people predicted that this sending off could lead to David’s exit from English football, but he knuckled down to prove them all wrong. In the first League game of 1998/99 season against Leicester City, he curled in one of his trademark free kicks to prevent defeat.

The 1998/99 season was truly memorable for David and Manchester United. The club won the unprecedented Treble of the Premiership title, FA Cup and European Cup.

The 1999/2000 season saw David continue with his successful career at Manchester United. He picked up his fourth Premiership winner’s medal and was voted the second best player in Europe and the World. Rivaldo was placed first in both awards. Manchester United were also crowned World Club Champions during the 1999/2000 season. In addition David came runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The major highlights of David’s 2000/01 season were on the international stage. He again won the Premiership title, having scored in three matches in a row early in the campaign.

David proudly captained England for the first time in a friendly in Italy and then kept the captaincy for the friendly with Spain and the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Finland.