Beckham was no ‘show pony’

In a world so dominated by money it is strange that David Beckham should be so castigated by the football fraternity for his decision to take his talents to the USA.

His estimated earnings of $250 million for the Los Angeles Galaxy are indeed an obscene amount of money judged by any normal standards but it is difficult to believe anyone would not be tempted by such an offer.
He is a player coming to the end of his career and how many great players have we witnessed dragging their career out just to make ends meet having squandered the financial opportunities their talents had presented them with.
By leaving top flight European football to play in the mediocre environment of the American Soccer League he surrenders any chance of being taken seriously as a footballer. This, however, has been the case for many quarters of the game for some time already. His displays in Germany last year were only the culmination of a poor four years where his influence on proceedings was reduced by each passing game.
It is only his celebrity status and the poor performances of McClaren’s England team that have ensured he remains back page headlines and it is this we are now fascinated with and nothing to do with his football skills. Should this really be a surprise given the Beckham’s media campaign to highlight these issues and the general public demand for all matters celebrity.
Beckham was often wrongly classed as a show pony throughout many parts of his career. In reality, he had an abundance of talent, an energy and spirit that would be the envy of most and a desire to be successful that was truth.
His contribution to Manchester United’s success in the nineties and to individual England games such as Greece, Germany and Argentina to name three was pivotal. Only through the latter parts of the Eriksson-era did it appear that his role in the team both on and off the pitch had shifted to the inappropriate. His sheer presence along with Eriksson in the England set up prohibited the team moving on.
Football, and in particular the Premiership, is now more about business than ever before. Even the classic FA Cup ties that used to pit minnows against giants are now discussed in terms of financial benefits to the small club rather than the opportunity to fulfil their football dreams. Making it into fourth spot in the Premiership is more about the money possibilities than the chance to play against the great sides in Europe.
Vast amounts of money every year leave the game into players and agents pockets through transfer fees and salaries. Clubs are bought and sold by owners and chairman alike all trying to take their share. Reports by various elements of the media, particular the recent Panorama programme, regarding corruption and bungs surrounding the movement of players are again an indication that things are not all well within the game.
On a recent national radio discussion about whether Abramovich was losing interest with his Chelsea love affair it was not former players being interviewed about the implications for the team, it was the bank manager who brokered the original deal who was asked to comment. The state of the balance book was deemed more important than the state of the team and the football they play.
Which club is for sale, who is buying or how much a player is paid is given as much coverage if not more than who is playing well and who deserves to win any particular trophy. If the information supplied to media outlets by all these interested parties was the truth and was contributing to the well being of football generally then that would be an acceptable situation. However, the feeling persists that all comments are deliberately phrased and couched in order to benefit the financial prospects of the individuals involved whether it be agents discussing player transfers or chairman discussing the ownership of clubs.
It is therefore a little ingenuous to criticise Beckham for taking up a fantastic opportunity for his future career which will ultimately be outside football not to mention the lifestyle he will ensure his wife Victoria and children enjoys. It really is a refreshing change to see a man coming out of the football factory with his whole life and career still ahead of him.
For any respectable football fan it is Beckham’s contribution to the matches he played in, both good and bad that will be far more memorable than any Hollywood career, haircut or advertising opportunity that he undertakes in the future.

Tempted by offer Patrick Cummings in England