fatboss

OK, I know theres probably about 95% of you guys that don't live in the UK or Western Europe. So I was wondering about 2 things.....

1. Have any of you even heard of David Beckham? Does he generate any interest in America?

2. Those of you that have heard of him (and if you live in the UK like me, give someone else a turn on the front AND back pages yeah?) what's your opinion on the whole Real Madrid saga?
Glad to see the back of him? Worst move Man Utd could make?


What do you think?

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MikeyChalupa

I'm an American and I don't know shit about football (soccer) other than Beckham is married to a Spice Girl and Real Madrid has cool looking black kits (uniforms) and kicks ass in FIFA 2003. I also know that George Steinbrenner has a merchandising deal with Manchester United. You can now buy a Derek Jeter jersey at Old Trafford, and a Beckham kit at Yankee Stadium.

-Mikey

livingitup101

I'm part of a small percentage of Americans who enjoy following the English Premier League. Beckham is known amongst the others in this small percentage but if you asked the average sports fan in the street who David Beckham was they'd give you one of two answers: 1) Never heard of him or 2) He's the athlete married to the Spice Girl.

The_Dude

i remember hearing a lot about him in the world cup and this has generated a shitload of press for a soccer move in europe.

isnt he the guy w/ the spiked hair?

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OMFUG

Yeah, I'm an American and I know who he is. I'ma bit of a conservative sports-wise, and I think it kind of sucks he's going to Real Madrid. Just my 2 cents, really, but they're mine all the same.

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Glory's Sun

I follow the league and I'm a die-hard United fan. I'm a little dissapointed to see him go. He was a leader on the field and I think it will be hard to replace him. Add that to the fact that United won't be getting any of the money for his merchandise and it could spell trouble. The only upside I see to this is that it does open up a spot for someone younger who could be a good player for United for years to come. I'd rather Beckham stayed but he was having problems with the coach and that's never good. I'm sure he'll do well in Madrid. It'll just take some time getting used to seeing him in a different shirt.

smarm

This topic reminded me of an email I just got:

From the Borowitz Report:

Date: Updated June 12, 2003

U.S. DEMANDS EXPLANATION OF WHO BECKHAM IS


Increased Beckham-related Chatter Has State Dept. On Edge


The U.S., deluged in recent weeks by press reports and television appearances by someone named "Beckham" has demanded that the British government offer a "full explanation of exactly who this Beckham person is," the State Department said today.

"We are not sure what he is famous for, but we would like to know who he is and why exactly we are being forced to care about him all of a sudden," Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters in a press briefing today.

While concerns about a sharp uptick in Beckham-related chatter had already put many at the State Department on edge, Beckham's appearance with his wife Posh Spice at last week's MTV Movie Awards raised the State Department's anxiety to the boiling point.

"In addition to explaining who exactly Beckham is, we are asking the British government to remind us who Posh Spice is again," Mr. Powell said.

While relations between Britain and the U.S. have never been warmer, their close ties could be torn asunder by their differences over Beckham, experts fear.

"In America, almost no one knows who Beckham is, while in Britain, he is considered the most famous person on the planet," said Dr. Roger Cranepool of the Institute for Foreign Relations at the University of Minnesota.
"This is a recipe for disaster."

In his press briefing, Secretary Powell also put pressure on Britain's Tony Blair to explain the title of the recent British film, "Bend It Like Beckham."

"Not only do we have no idea who Beckham is, we have no idea what 'bending it' is," Mr. Powell said.

darkure

Not any more. He has grown it somewhat long and pulled a Diego Forlan/Francesco Totti and now wears a black headband

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Dr.Who

I'm in Montreal and they talked about Beckam today with even a photo in the front cover of "La Presse", one of the 2 most read french newspaper.

And of course I know him. But I don't compare The knowledge people in Montreal have for football that the U.S.

And I think Madrid is too load up. But glad for there fans, they have a dream team.. sort of.

bundy

in Australia, we just cannot avoid this circus.
his different hairstyles make our major news bulletins.

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Kid Amnesia

as a United fan I'm kinda sad to see him go, but as an England supporter this can only be good news. Playin in the Madrid team (here's hoping he will actually get some games- he'll surely be higher up the team list than McManaman- SURELY??!!) can only improve his all round game. As England captain he can then bring so much more to the squad. i heard rumours about ferguson havin his eye on Harry Kewell as 'replacement'. Seems odd given Kewells a predominantly left footed player but there you go

Porkchop

Im glad he is going just because i cant stand man utd and i hope there is a mass exodus and etc
I Support Newcastle you see so you understand. lol
Also mikey, you will have to put Beckham into the Real team on fifa 2003 and they will be unbeatable.

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fatboss

I hear ya Porkchop. Have you seen the fixtures for the new season? Liverpool play Newcastle at Anfield on the last day of the season. Let's hope that is the title decider. I wouldn't mind one bit if the Toon won the league ahead of us. Just so long as it's not the red s***e or 'boring, boring' Arsenal.

Are you with me on that one?

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philzilla

Man Utd fans are being typical wankers. when he was there, he could do no wrong, and he was the best player in the world. now he's gone, they're all like "ahh, not really bothered whether he goes, he was never that good anyway"

Zoom

he got 42 mil to go to spain or somethin

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Porkchop

That is ok by me m8.
Also have a bit of a soft spot for Liverpool myself. Lived in Chorley for a while not to far from Liverpool. Dalglish and Rush were my heroes at the time.
I hear in the man utd shops people were knocking over his statue (cardboard) and saying we wont need that anymore. It is true they worship him and now he is gone cant stand him. Some fans anyway, It would make my year if man utd came up against Real again in Europe.

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jmf1234

I'm an american and i follow all of the european soccer leagues and i think it is great that Beckham left Man U. i support Man City you see. i dont think it is good that he left the country because it makes him look greedy. But i dont really like the guy.

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Andrew

I got tickets to watch Liverpool and Man U. play in New Jersey on the 30th of July. I really did want to watch Beckham, so this annoyed me.

Andrew.

nickt

I concur with bundy.

In the last two weeks the press down here has made out as if the Beckham transfer was one of the biggest things in European Football history. They failed to mention that half the Real Madrid team was transferred for more!!!

In Australia, most people know him due to his increased presence in the press here as opposed to the US - I think the Spice Girls have something to do with that...but I digress...

In football terms, Man U did a good thing moving him on at this point in his career. A player of his calibre at their peak is a valuable commodity - they will replace him with several world class players over the summer to consolidate certain gaps that emerged in the squad last year (please note they still won the Premiership!).

A player like Beckham can only disrupt a squad if playing in the UK - in Madrid he will fit in nicely under their other superstars and be "just another teammate". Sir Alex is a genius.

Lyncher

Beckham and spain don't mix well .... at all!

nickt

Is that because he should never have left Man U or because you really think his style does not suit the Spanish game?

Personally, I would have loved to see Beckham stay at Man U. I do support Man U and on top of that, I think he has jeapordized his England captaincy. Notwithstanding that, if he was ever going to leave, now was the time.

Whether he makes it in Spain or not is yet to be seen, one thing is for sure though, he wont be the only player in the squad dominating the headlines - people like Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul and Figo hold similar "pop star" status in their respective countries.

And Ronaldo has weirder hair-dos!

Spartak

I think Real made a good move signing Beckham, if he doesn't make it in Spain there is no problem, Real can easily offload him to any English team who will be more than willing to buy him.

nickt

You think he would move to another English club?

Hmmmm, I dunno, I think that would be awkward. You'll notice that big name players generally don't move between the big clubs until they drop in form and then the move is usually to a lesser side - think Dwight Yorke or Teddy Sherringham.

Beckham will be another Paul Gascoine.

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Spartak

You left David Seaman off your list

I think if Beckham doesn't settle in Spain he wouldn't mind playing for Arsenal or Liverpool, Real could also offload him to Italy, a good attacking right wing option to deliver crosses is a good thing to have in Italy imo.

Also I think Figo and Zidane are getting old, so this season will decide their collective fates imo, if Beckham starts playing better than either of those two expect to see a move.

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almostaugust

As far as world class players go, i dont rate beckham at all. he takes a great free kick, and can cross the ball well- but is in no way a well rounded midfielder. He gets so much media attention its ludicrous. A player like Scholes is nowhere nearly as showered in media attention and cash, but has been the decisive player in so many domestic and international games. I think Kewell is one of the most exciting midfielders in the world at the moment, he should be soaking up the spotlight.

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nickt

almostaugust: I agree in part - Beckham does get way too much attention - it is out of proportion to his skill level and people like Scholes and Kewell deserve more recognition.

What you cannot go past however is that he is a marketing tool - his stardom off the field exceeds his talent on the field by far - making him more marketable.

In a perfect world, the two would not be so interrelated, but what can you do?!?

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AND WHERE..........

...is the Batman?

fatboss

Don't worry almostaugust. Harry Kewell will be soaking up the spotlight when he pulls on a Liverpool Shirt this week. He would a fantastic addition to a squad that needs this kind of player.

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Spartak

No way, Kewell is gonna put on the Arsenal jersey and you know it!

losfp

Plenty of attention on Becks - but can ANYONE explain just why one of the most famous and highly priced footballing commodities in soccer still manages to have such a girly voice?

Anyone see the interview Ali G did with Posh & Becks? Classic (scarily enough, Victoria Beckham is much, much smarter than her husband).

Oh, and go you Gunners

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Grrr... Argh....

fatboss

I've been waiting all week, but I can officially say.......

Sorry Spartak, but Kewell is ours.

Hell, they even made Smicer give up the number 7 shirt, quite right too I say.

Dalglish, McManaman, Kewell is a better line-up of those that have worn the number 7 shirt than including Mad Vlad.

Arsenal had better keep looking for a replacement for Mr. Bergkamp, I don't think he's going to be there much longer.

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Spartak

Kluivert, imo.

Wenger would be stupid not to get him for J1.8 mil, it's a smart move regardless, just think of the resale value. He also displayed excellent form in the Champs League.

Bergkamp hasn't been playing as good as he did for a couple of seasons now, and his fear of flying is just an added pain.

Henry, Wiltord, Kanu, have all played better than him.

Oh, and you guys got a real good deal for Kewell, J5 mil, unbelievable, he is easily worth triple that.

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dimbulb

i'm quite sure that Liverpool isnt going to play ManUre in Jersey. It's most likely to be Juve, if i'm not wrong.

Pool is going to be touring the Far East this summer.

Beckham to Real==>bad business..
Kewell to Liverpool... ===> WOW.....

Great Scott

It's a n interesting move to say the least. The fact is that Alex Fergueson (the coach at Man U) just didn't like Beckham and he really didn't fit into the current style of attack there. This not withstanding he is still one of the few players in world football who can chnge the outcome of a game by himself.
Real aside from being one of the few teams able to afford to take a risk on Beckham is a good spot for him because of the media attention he generates. They use that to sell club merchandise. Should be very interesting to see where Becks will fit into Madrid's line-up and how effective he will be in the much quicker Spanish league. I for one think it will be a beneficial move for him.

help_me_rhonda

hey guys, i'm in The US and have heard something about a nickname for pool fans:

Kopwhites? Something to do with a stand in Anfield stadium.

Also a song about how theyall talk crap?

Has anyone else heard this/can you help?

Kid Amnesia

Ah well, dont believe evrythin you read eh? congrats to liverpool on catchin kewell- quality player. though you dont deserve him u scallies ! United, Liverpool, or Toon for the championship. Keep it up north away from those southern fairies. Deal? (Yes i am aware that Beckham could be deemed a "southern fairy" but i meant it as a generic phrase for Arsenal, Chelsea et al so no need to pull me up about it right!)

gptyer

Big loss for Man U, love him or hate him, Beckham can change the flow of any game he is in with one rush or a well placed corner.
If not the best player in the world at his position surely in the top two or three!!!
Madrid's gain Premiers loss, how long is the deal for.

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fatboss

Spion Kop - a hill in South Africa which formed part of a very bloody war in the early 1900's.
There were alot of English soldiers that died in battle, soldiers from Liverpool and the surrounding area in particular.
In memory of those that died, a stand at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC was named 'Spion Kop'
This gets shortened to The Kop, hence the nick-name 'Kopites' (not Kopwhites).
I have a Season Ticket for the Kop, so I consider myself a Kopite.

There is also a song titled 'In My Liverpool Home' which includes the line 'we speak with an accent exceedingly rare'.
I can only think that this is what you are referring to, although after a few beers, everyone talks crap!

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help_me_rhonda

Koppites are g** s*****? maybe?

hey ho, good luck fot the new P.L season-

The pool need to get back up there before everyone forgets about their past glories.

Capital of culture eh?

Rock on.