August 29 – Becks Runs the Gauntlet at West Ham
We’re a fickle bunch, us football supporters. One minute we’ll be hero-worshipping our favourite player, the next we’ll be hanging an effigy of them. It’s hard to believe now but in 1998 David Beckham was the source of the nation’s vitriol following his sending off against Argentina in the World Cup. On this day in 1998 that Becks had to face the music as his Manchester United side faced West Ham in his first away game since he saw the red mist in Saint-Étienne.
Most England fans were quick to blame Beckham for England’s exit in the World Cup. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen flashed the red card after Beckham had petulantly kicked out at Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone. A dramatic tumble to the floor from Simeone saw England reduced to ten men and lose out on penalties, despite a young Michael Owen scoring one of the best goals ever seen in a England shirt.
The tabloid press made their feelings known, with the Daily Mirror printing a dartboard with Beckham’s face in the middle. Death threats followed, as did the afore mentioned effigy’s outside an East End pub before West Ham took on Manchester United. The Red Devil’s team coach was welcomed with a shower of stones and bottles as around 500 West Ham fans made their feelings about Beckham’s role in the World Cup exit clear.
And things didn’t get much better on the pitch for Beckham, as his every touch of the ball was roundly booed. The match finished in a nil-nil draw, but it would prove to be a landmark season for the Red Devil’s as they went on to secure an unprecedented treble.
Beckham then got on with one of the most extraordinary transformations seen in recent times, as two years later he would take over the mantle of England captain and redeem himself in the hearts of England fans as he lead the way in their 5-1 demolition of the Germans and score that memorable free kick against Greece that booked England’s place in the 2002 World Cup. See below for footage of his red card and come back tomorrow to look at one of the Premiership’s sharpest shooters returning to haunt his former employers.
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