What is it about David Beckham?,apparently Sir Alex Ferguson says: " Everyone Sucks up to David "  and Sven Goren Ericksson, mentions, that he does not have an undue influence on the team.  There is something there,  and must be in the national psyche, it can be his good looks, modelling activities, and pop star/film star status that must be attractive, to the masses; or maybe it is the way he walks, even thought he steps differently, when he is playing for England, than on the catwalk.  When he plays for his country, it is all serious, you can tell in his face, that, he is there, to do the business.   That is, what you would expect, from a captain, who leads the team.  There is no doubt, he is influencing the nation, from grannies to young people.  As the Elvis Presley song goes: " That-is -someone, you-never-forget." A beautiful ballad, perhaps posh can sing it, or he can sing it, or both of them, can do it.  You can bring in the kids, as back up, subs are useful.

As was mentioned, when we were in a meeting, by someone who does not know anything about football: " I do not know anything about football, but i think David Beckham is one of the best players in the world ", as Lynn a housewife commented.  It took me, by surprise, that statement,  maybe he is.  "  Look, this is what i am reading at the moment. " As a nine year old showed me.  It was his biography: "My Side"; "I seen Beckham, Ive seen him,  i seen Beckham " As my niece, was jumping up and down, like a schoolgirl.  You would think that this was a 12 year old; however it was a mature adult.  The influence, is noticed. 

Why this is happening?, to a wide range of ages, is beyond me: he is a world class player, and very popular, which helps; great at passing; and free kicks; as well as, sending the ball long distances: inch perfect,  football is a, team effort,  and you cannot rely, on one person.  It has to be his personality: blending, film star, pop star material with a strong physical presence, on and off the pitch.  Try a diving tackle, you will get the message easily-an alternative.

It is not, all a bed of roses, as Ken said: " Did you see Beckham, on Parkinson, it was da this and da that, he did not show, much enthusiasm ";  " He might be a great footballer, but does he know the kings english, i bet he does not " as Stan said. "  I like my man to be a man, i find Beckham too femine ."  As sally commented: " If you look in the lower leagues, there are probably 20 people like him, no one knows who they are ", Ron Said. Lastly: " Look at him and Rio Ferdinand, they earn millions, and they still want more, i bet they don't think of the children of Niger ."  You cannot please everyone in life;  you would break yourself trying.  Very few have managed to blend this together, as John Barnes the ex England and Liverpool winger once said: " If he went clubbing, living the pop star life, like his wife, he would not, make the team, the next day ."  You have, to set priorities. 

So David, does have people suck up, and influence, on the nation, whether this is productive, or just status seeking, we will never know.  He could make any organisation, or club, committee.  They would love him, to be there, seen his type before-not quite like him.  It is best to be popular, you are invited to more parties, and that is a clear sign, of your success.  When you  are overlooked, you are in trouble.  No matter how good, you really are.  A lot of serious minded coaches, would not agree, with the last sentence; and boot you straight out.  That is, what you are, supposed to do in football, a good kick, will get the ball, up the field, to the striker- play one man, one upfront; that has not been entertaining; and shows little skill.  Bring on Beckham: catwalk style.

So the, road show goes on, wishing him all the best, the area of image over substance, is a hard one to pull off.  He is able to do both,  as Sally commented: " You have to have the right image, if you don't, they do not want to know, you, they may think your backward ".  Maybe!  You cannot live, a life on image.  It would be hard, to do.  As Ken said: " You have to be who you are, or the real people, won't recognise you ".  All you have to do, is to receive the ball, from the goalkeeper, to the defender, pass it to the midfield, who will then knock, it on to the winger, running forward and then cross it, over to the striker, ideally placed to score a goal. What about the opposing players? We are only mentioning the image, do not bore, with facts or details.  That is all, you have, to do...............!   People may suggest that we play direct football. As written  " This is who i really am, and this is what is happening to me ." from the book: Creative Agression.  Growth is supposed, to occur there.   A one man team, with one up front, bring on David Beckham who will show us all how to play, off and on the field..........Let us the sing the Elvis song: " O-t-h-e-rs m-a-y p-a-s-s y-o-u-r w-a-y..............t-h-a-t-

s-o-m-e-o-n-e....... y-o-u...........n-e-v-e-r..... f-o-r-g-e-t. " 

P.S. He is only, the flavour of the year, or the decade, he keeps the newspapers busy, that is all he does, there are many others who are better than him, many worse.  There always will be: past, present and the future, he is not the only one out there.  Apparently he wanted £750,000 per week, most people will not earn that in a lifetime, they have too much, they could never, spend it all. Helen.