COVER STORY THE BEST YOU

ON THE BALL OFF THE PITCH

With ’s announcement that he is to retire from professional football, The Best You looks at the life and achievements, of this hero of The Beautiful Game, on-pitch and off.

8 | WWW.THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO Sandra, his dad and extended and put coins in a meter that family allowed that passion to was in a cupboard just inside flourish. the changing room door.” Ted also planted the His dad’s coaching was dream of being a professional unrelenting: “After everybody footballer. Both parents loved else had finished and was in Manchester United and they the social club, I’d stand on the often took him to edge of the penalty area and to watch United games. No chip a dead ball towards goal. surprise that from an early age, Every time I hit the bar was David was telling everyone, worth 50p extra pocket money “I’m going to play football for from my dad that week. And Manchester United.” just as important, a pat on the As a boy David played back.” football above his level with Also at the club, David kids twice his age at Chase joined in the five-a-side Lane Park, near his school. sessions his father played in “I don’t know if it was - meaning that again he was because I was good or because playing above his level. This ne of the they could kick me up in the air instilled resilience as well as MAIN PICTURE world’s greatest and I’d come back for more, but enthusiasm. With smouldering footballers, they always turned up on the “I was so excited to be out good looks and a fashion icon, sex very talented right doorstep after school.” there playing with the rest of symbol, “Golden foot, Beckham His dad recognised them – these grown men – that OBalls”, England football team makes success his talent and when David I took whatever I had coming. look easy captain, half of Posh and Becks, was around 8 years old, he Dad warned me that I had to be loving father and all round sacrificed his own playing to prepared to get a bit roughed decent guy, David Beckham coach his son, taking David for up now and again. If he’d been has had a massive effect on the midweek training at Wadham running around telling people world far beyond his home turf Lodge, a neglected old ground not to tackle me all evening, it of football. near his home. David recalls: would have been pointless me The association of his “...the changing rooms were being there in the first place.” iconic brand with a product pure Sunday League: mud on His dad made sure David guarantees to raise its profile, the floor, really dingy lighting enjoyed the play, and allowed and it’s no surprise that clubs and the water dribbling out of him to develop his style. This have clamoured to sign him cold showers. Then there was is an important factor - David as much for his effect on their the smell of the liniment that loves football because it is balance sheets as his particular players used to rub on their associated with that great brand of on-pitch magic. legs. It would hit you as soon emotional reward - of being Counting Tom Cruise, Katie as you walked in. There were able to be who you truly are. ABOVE AND BELOW Homes and Elton John among floodlights – just six lamps on All the while David kept his friends, Beckham remains David Beckham has top of poles – but at least once his eyes focussed on what he had loads of a loving family man, dedicated experience in front every session they’d go out and wanted. “What kept me going to the happiness and safety of of the camera somebody would have to run was the idea that, eventually, his wife and four children. He is a truly international figure and is often called the world’s most famous footballer. So how did he achieve this amazing life? And where did he come from? Born in 1975 in Leytonstone and growing up in Chingford, David Beckham had a very ordinary beginning. His dad, Ted, a heating engineer, instilled in him his passion for football. “As soon as I could walk,” David says, “he made sure I had a football to kick.” Growing up happy and safe with his hairdresser mum

WWW.THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO | 9 At their wedding, David was terrified of giving he groom’s speech, and he describes himself as “shy” when younger

I’d get the call I’d been waiting Thornley and Chris Casper. He ABOVE got to play in the last 17 for ever since I’d first kicked the had no idea that the youth team David is as much of a minutes of a first team match. ball” – to play for Manchester was special, but family man as he is a “I was so excited I jumped off fotballer United. did, saying: “If we don’t get a the bench and cracked my When the call came, David first-team player out of this lot, head on the roof of the dugout: was ready. He was talent we might as well all pack up BELOW a great start to a first-team scouted by Manchester United and go home.” David and his boys career.” at 14 years old. It was a dream David was now among in LA Galaxy gear In 1994 he scored his come true. players as excellent as himself. first goal for the club in In Manchester he was Manchester United won the an international against surrounded by exceptional Youth Team Cup in 1992, and Galatasaray. With humour fellow players, including was runner up to Leeds in and modesty he recalls that , Ryan Giggs, 1993. Eric Cantona came over to , , Ben Aged 17, Beckham finally congratulate him. “He was having to fight me off in the end. I just wouldn’t let go of him. I’ve scored a goal and I’m celebrating with Eric Cantona.” When my In 1996 he was on the foot struck team that won the FA CUP and that ball, finished top of the league, making Manchester United the it kicked only team to win the Double open the twice. door to the Then, something special rest of my happened. At the opening of the 96 / 97 season, Beckham life at the scored his famous 60 yard same time. goal against Wimbledon from his own half. For him, years of learning to strike the ball hard meant this was just an “ordinary” kick, but it propelled him to stardom. He says of the fame it brought him, “When my foot struck that ball, it kicked open the door to the rest of my life at the same time.” Beckham’s life since has been fascinating. His marriage to Victoria Adams aka Posh Spice created the most glamorous couple in Britain, possibly the world. Yet their first date (after he’d finally Cup captaining England against 2003-2007 was largely plucked up the courage to ask Greece, he won the game with a attributed by Forbes magazine her out) ended in their being last minute free kick, becoming He to this one man’s presence. thrown out of an abandoned the darling of the media and The same effect was noted at Chinese restaurant when they the nation. He made 115 received LA Galaxy in 2007 when their tried to order drinks without appearances for England and death gate receipts reached record food. captained them for six years. threats levels, and they were able It’s a fascinating reminder He was famously cut to negotiate a massive shirt that excellence at one thing above the eye by a flying against sponsorship deal worth $20 doesn’t mean universal boot from Alex Ferguson in an himself and million – largely thanks to his brilliance. At their wedding, argument and in the end, after his family, arrival. David was terrified of giving Manchester United and Becks Looking back over the life the groom’s speech, and he parted company he went on to and even of the boy from Chingford describes himself as “shy” play for Real Madrid and Los found an coached by his dad to strike a when younger. Beckham was a Angeles Galaxy, becoming the intruder in ball hard and accurately, what bundle of amazing footballing highest paid footballer in the his garden are the ingredients that make talent, but he was also a normal world. him such a star? kid growing to manhood. That said, Beckham is early one Strong emotion is definitely Along the way Beckham clear, for him it’s not about morning, part of the mix. The love he weathered violent storms. individuals but the team standing felt for the game as a boy, During the 1998 World Cup working together. During the the tears he shed when the match against Argentina post-Argentina years, and later with arms talent scout called for him, the he was largely blamed for when he felt picked on and crossed, passion he feels on the pitch England crashing out of the isolated by Sir Alex Ferguson staring. that sets him on fire all tell of tournament after being sent for his “film star” attitude, that. His reliance on a team – off for retaliating to a pat on Beckham relied on the team to or a family – to support him is the head by Argentinian player lift him during matches. another ingredient. Add to that Simeone. His effigy was hung This is how he talks about resilience, too. from lamp-posts in Britain, and family, too, saying that the Less obviously, he has his face was published as a number one role of a father recently revealed he suffers dartboard by the Daily Mirror. is his family’s protection. from OCD, needing to put He received death threats Beckham is always aware of the things in neat lines or in pairs. against himself and his family, bigger unit of which he is a part, Repetitive dedication to an and even found an intruder in and it’s this that makes him activity leads to excellence, his garden early one morning, such a great team player and a and you can’t help wondering, standing with arms crossed, great family man. did OCD feed into his desire to staring intimidatingly. Perhaps it’s ironic then BELOW get those kicks absolutely right Yet Beckham is resilient. In that the massive jump in The Beckhams enjoy on the pitch? 1999 he helped his side to win merchandise sales to $600 having a day out These are all ingredients of the Treble. At the 2002 World million at Real Madrid between what makes Beckham who he is. Sprinkle in film star looks and a celebrity wife... these are all factors. But there is something else, too. David Beckham is authentic. You get the feeling that what you see is what you get. And what you see is an honest, straightforward guy who sometimes makes mistakes - but also has the most extraordinary skills. That makes for someone special, and someone supremely likeable – and admirable, too. At The Best You we salute David Beckham – and wish you The Best – whatever you do next! b

This article was based on excerpts of David Beckham’s book, My Side.

WWW.THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO | 11 PROFILE THE BEST YOU THE BEST YOU A BECKS RETRO SPECTIVE

DR. GARY F. RUSSELL TALENT STRATEGIST

Beckham’s strategy means he will go down as the most influential person in in popularising football here in The United States. The beginning signs of that strategy are occurring now. We have a couple of new football clubs here that would make you feel as if you’re in England. The crowds are singing, the stadiums are great and the advertising has increased because Beckham has made everything cool and hip. Other superstars, like (Thierry) Henry are following his lead and realising that it’s a good thing to finish out their careers here. What the world needs to know and is constantly trying to figure out is why is he so good. Why is he so different? What makes him the greatest marketing tool in the world? He’s a good-looking lad and he has a beautiful wife, but there must be more to it. There are plenty of people out there who are pretty good-looking, but he has been successful in virtually every sphere – football, fatherhood, corporately, and in his demeanour. Beckam has a brand, so he gives life to anything he touches. His only concern is to carefully choose what it is that he’s touching so that he can control the development of whatever it is he’s involved in, because he has that magnetism. He is a winner. Now we need to figure out why.

TIM LOVEJOY RYAN TUNNICLIFFE BROADCASTER FOOTBALLER FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

I spent a few months with David Beckham making a As a youngster growing up supporting Manchester United, documentary about him after he moved to Real Madrid. David Beckham was one of the players I looked up to. It’s hard to say a bad word about him as he was a There is no doubt about that. He has had an unbelievable genuinely nice guy with a huge desire to play football. He career that I’m sure even in his wildest dreams he would loved his life, especially his job. He had dreamed about never have anticipated when he first started to play being a big star in football so when he was given the football. One of the things I admire most about him is that chance he worked hard at achieving the status he desired. no matter how many trophies he won, how many caps Beckham’s work ethic has been well documented. While he had or how much money he’d earned his passion, his other players went home after training, Beckham put in the commitment and desire to continually improve never extra hours. It clearly paid off as he has had a career most faded. These types of qualities have made him one of the footballers could only dream of. Incredible football career, all-time greats of world football. but I don’t think we’ve heard the last of him.

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KUBI SPRINGER BRAND SPECIALIST

David Beckham is extremely smart to retire at the top of his game. I believe that by doing so, the strength of his brand has become an even stronger commodity. As a world class, global icon who has carried the British flag wherever he has played, Beckham’s brand possibilities are endless. He could continue to take on ‘ambassador’ roles, as he did for the London 2012 Olympics. He could continue to sign endorsement deals; his latest signings STEPHEN SIMPSON to Sainsbury’s, Burger King and Samsung, are examples of this. He could also think about signing a club, putting ELITE PERFORMANCE & CONFIDENCE COACH his name to more academies, launching more charities, entering onto the board of sports committees and association internationally. He could do more partnerships What makes David Beckham one of the greatest soccer with Victoria with their own clothing lines and fragrances. players the world has ever seen? It is an exquisite balance Equally he could write (or ghost write) another of mind, body, and soul, working in perfect harmony. autobiography, produce a movie about his life, star in Beckham’s mental strength has been tested on numerous Hollywood blockbusters, act as an agent or manager for occasions by adversity, including serious injuries, and he his boys, who are also developing their own brands. There describes his red card against Argentina in the 1998 World is talk of him exercising his rights to buy an MLS franchise, Cup as the lowest point of his life. He was vilified by both Times Warner Cable were reportedly trying to lure him to the English press and the fans and was widely blamed for one of their new TV sports networks and of course let’s not England’s defeat. During this time he received numerous forget the possibility of a Knighthood. death threats, and did not feel safe for over three years. As a brand specialist I think that ‘brand Beckham’ has only Beckham’s humble view of a ‘round world’, where success really just started. This move to end at the top is strategic at the top is always followed by failure at the bottom, and brilliant. Worth an estimated $300 million, his next was his solid foundation. He knew that success would move could prove to see him double that and be noted inexorably follow failure as long as he remained grounded down in history as one of the greatest sports brands ever. by the three qualities he considered to be the most valuable. They were belief, strength, and family. An example of his belief is his expression ‘impossible is nothing.’ His strength flows from his application. One of his previous managers, Alex Ferguson, stated, “David Beckham is Britain’s finest striker of a football, not because of god-given talent, but because he practices with a relentless application that the vast majority of less-gifted players wouldn’t contemplate.” The importance that Beckham places on his family to his success is also legendary. Beckham loves drawing and painting, and it is clear from his interviews that he has highly developed visualisation skills, which are essential for all top athletes. He has over twenty tattoos, and he has chosen them carefully. Each makes a visual statement that resonates deeply with him. They include tattoos relating to his family, and intriguingly, an angel on his right shoulder, with the words ‘In the face of adversity.’ Beckham’s career has had more than its share of ups and downs, and my vote for the one quality that that makes him such a special person is the way that he has handled adversity. He has demonstrated role model mastery of the importance of belief, strength, and family to his success.

WWW.THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO | 13 BECKS AT A GLANCE

FOOTBALLING ROLL OF HONOUR Manchester United Paris Saint-Germain Six Won the Championship championships England Two FA Cups 115 appearances Won UEFA Champions Scored 17 goals Recognised as Captain for six years ”UEFA Club Footballer Real Madrid of the Year” in 1999 Won Spanish,Super Cup Scored 62 goals Spanish League LA Galaxy Championship Two straight championships

STYLE EARNINGS Voted one the world’s best dressed men in: The world’s highest paid • Daily Mail footballer • Metro Estimated at £30.8 • MSN million per annum • Complex.com Has been in the top 10 Has made numerous statements with hairstyles paid footballers since over the years, including the famous floppy 1999 Has topped the list fringe, mini mohawk, buzz cut and ponytail. for six years Watch out for future follicle fun! His clothes Recently signed £50m have also made a stir, including the famous five-year deal as Sarong and the Alice band on his hair. But ambassador for Chinese Beckham looks cool in a suit or in casual gear, Super League and has been a style icon for men for years.

CHARITABLE INTERESTS OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS  CHOC Children’s  Comic Relief Key role in 2012 London Olympic bid  Elton John AIDS Foundation Delivered the Olympic flame by speed  FC Harlem boat to London Olympics  Help for Heroes Officer of the Order of the  Malaria No More British Empire UNICEF Goodwill  mothers2mothers Ambassador Founder of David Beckham  National Society for the Academy football school  Prevention Had the film ”Bend It Like Beckham” of Cruelty to Children named after his ability to curve the ball  Peace One Day The only English player to  Prince’s Trust score in three World Cups  Raising Malawi  Red Cross FAMILY  Sport Relief Married to Victoria Beckham  UNICEF (aka Posh Spice)  Victoria and David Beckham Brooklyn (born 1999) Charitable Trust Romeo (born 2002) Beckham donated his entire Cruz (born 2005) salary at Paris Saint Germaine Harper (born 2011) to charity.

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