Beckham Quits As England Captain

Summary: David Beckham has stood down as England captain following the Three Lions World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal. Beckham was first given the captaincy by then England caretaker boss Peter Taylor in 2000 and continued in the role under the five year management of Sven-Goran Eriksson. It was Beckham's leadership in the final 2002 World Cup qualifying game at home to Greece at Old Trafford that will be most fondly remembered. At the peak of his talent, Beckham sing...

David Beckham has stood down as England captain following the Three Lions World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal. Beckham was first given the captaincy by then England caretaker boss Peter Taylor in 2000 and continued in the role under the five year management of Sven-Goran Eriksson. It was Beckham's leadership in the final 2002 World Cup qualifying game at home to Greece at Old Trafford that will be most fondly remembered. At the peak of his talent, Beckham single-handedly dragged England over the finishing line to qualify for Japan and Korea, a sensational last minute free kick earning England a draw and automatic qualification. As Beckham spoke of his intention to step down as captain with immediate effect, tears began to well in his eyes, a decision made even more heartbreaking following England's exit. An emotional Beckham said "It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can. "This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me I feel the time is right. "Finally, I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful." Beckham grew up in the East End of London and always harboured a wish to play for his boyhood heroes Manchester United. Alex Ferguson gave him his chance at first team action at United and Beckham never looked back, soon becoming a national and world icon. A rift between Ferguson and Beckham led to the ex-England captain's transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003, though he is still waiting for his first major honour with the Madrid club.