The Guardian | Monday July 3 2006 5 rld Cup England v Portugal Taylor shocked by Beckham’s decision to step down

sort of player to lead England into the new was absolutely the right decision to make The man who first made millennium. Resignation statement in full him captain,” Eriksson said. him captain is surprised “Players have changed, and football “He did good work always. He has been management has changed an awful lot in ªOn November 15 2000, Peter Taylor with my family and those closest to me very proud of doing the job. I was a little and sad at the demise the last few years,” he said. “Just as a man- gave me the greatest honour of my I feel the time is right. Our performance bit disappointed when he told me his of a generation’s leader ager you can’t pin people up against the career in making me captain of England during this World Cup has not been decision just before he announced it. I dressing room wall and eff and blind at and fulfilling my childhood dream. enough to progress further and both don't know why he has quit. He has been them anymore, captains can’t go around Now almost six years later, having been myself and all the players regret that captain for five-and-a-half years and Louise Taylor shouting and screaming all the time these captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the and are hurt more than people realise. I maybe he felt it was time. You have to days. time is right to pass on the armband as wish to thank all the players for their respect that and that's it. You will soon “The other players like and respect a we enter a new era under Steve support during my time as captain as have a press conference with Steve The man who made David Beckham captain like David, who can put his point McClaren. It has been an honour and well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the McClaren and he has a lot of choices of England captain did so to usher in a new across without shouting and swearing and privilege to captain our country and I coaches. I would also like to thank the who can be captain. There are many." generation of footballers and yesterday he who will listen to them. They won’t nec- wish to stress that I want to continue to press and, of course, the England Former England midfielder Ray Wilkins seemed both sad and surprised at the essarily take to the old sort of captain so play for England and to help both the supporters who have been both great added: “To say I’m flabbergasted is an passing of an era. well anymore. I know David used to give new captain and Steve McClaren in any to me and my team-mates and I want understatement. He’s come under a little “It’s quite a shock to me, I’m very sur- a lot of thought to his job as England cap- way I can. I came to this decision some them to know that for me it has been an bit of stick of late and his performances prised,” said Peter Taylor, the Crystal tain and how to deal with situations and in time ago but I had hoped to announce absolute honour. Finally, I have lived haven’t been at the high standards we Palace and England Under-21 manager, the modern game captains need to be it on the back of a successful World the dream. I am extremely proud to expect but some of the criticism has been who, while in caretaker charge of the thoughtful.” Cup. Sadly that wasn’t to be. This have worn the armband and been unfair.” senior team, named Beckham as captain If, in years to come, Taylor’s decision to decision has been the most difficult of captain of England and for that I will Mark Perryman, spokesman for eng- for a friendly against Italy in Turin in 2000. offer Beckham the armband will possibly my career to date but after discussing it always be grateful.º landfans supporters' group, said Beckham “I thought David was getting better and be seen as something of a watershed, it is provided fond memories for followers of better as England captain and I know just already a source of immense personal England. “This is an incredible individual how proud he was of leading his country, pride to the Palace manager. Southgate and David. I decided on David good England captain. He’s led the team and we'll look back at him in years to come so I never expected this,” he added. “I’m very proud to have been the one because of the superb way he handled very well and been an excellent represen- and regret the torrent of criticism he's put By offering Beckham the armband, who made David England captain,” said himself after getting sent off against Ar- tative for his country. You don’t keep the up with," Perryman said. “John Terry is Taylor broke with the tradition of England Taylor. “I was very happy to see David gentina at the 1998 World Cup. He never armband for six years if you aren’t doing perhaps the kind of leader we need — to managers invariably selecting warrior- continuing in the job and I know David let me down and I don't think he ever let the job well.” tell Wayne Rooney how to behave. We style England skippers in the Terry himself was very happy with his success England down as captain. Sven-Goran Eriksson would not com- need someone to grab the team by the Butcher or Bryan Robson mould. Beck- as captain. “As time went on, I could see him ment on who may replace Beckham but scruff of the neck and say ‘we're going to ham’s elevation raised eyebrows, but “When I was made caretaker boss there becoming better and better in the role. believes Steve McClaren will have many dig in'. That's in no way a criticism of Taylor insists the fast-changing nature of were only three candidates for the cap- That’s why I’m so surprised he’s given it worthy candidates to consider. “I think Beckham. He's been a superb captain of modern football demanded a different tain's armband — Gary Neville, Gareth up now. Without a doubt he’s been a very David has been a very good captain and it England as the team has developed."

David Beckham raises his hand to acknowledge the supporters who watched England bow out in the quarter-finals in what turned out to be his last match as captain David Hecker/AFP/Getty Images

Captain’s tableau Five memorable moments of Beckham’s England career

Gets England out of the group stage Gets England to the World Cup Exorcises Argentinian ghosts Wrong time to shun a tackle Misses a penalty World Cup 1998, Lens, June 26 Old Trafford, October 6 2001 World Cup 2002, Sapporo, June 7 World Cup 2002, Shizuoka, June 21 Euro 2004, Lisbon, June 21 Beckham was preferred by Glenn England qualified for the World Cup as After his sending-off against Argentina England were 1–0 up in the quarter-final England tried to defend a 1–0 lead in the Hoddle to David Batty in central group winners after arguably Beckham’s in 1998 Beckham had a point to prove against Brazil but Beckham pulled out of Euro 2004 quarter-final against the midfield for the crucial match against best game in an England shirt. Trailing when the sides met in Japan. The a challenge with Gilberto Silva from hosts Portugal. They did not manage it Colombia. His 29th-minute free-kick Greece 2–0, he found Teddy Sheringham captain stepped forward to take the which Ronaldinho went up the other and the match was decided on penalties. followed Darren Anderton’s opener and for the equaliser before scoring with a penalty and secured a 1–0 win which end to set up Rivaldo to equalise. The Beckham appeared to slip on loose turf England finished second in Group G brilliant free-kick in injury-time eased four years of regret Barça player went on to net the winner on the spot and sent the ball into row Z