David Beckham was born in Leytonstone on 2 May 1975. After having trials with Leyton Orient and attending Tottenham Hotspurs' school of excellence, he signed for Manchester United as a trainee on 8 July 1991. As a schoolboy he represented Essex Schools.

On 2 April 1995, David Beckham made his League debut at home to Leeds United. His first team debut had come two and a half years earlier when he came on as a substitute, 20 minutes from time, during the away leg of a League (Rumbelows) Cup second round tie, at Brighton and Hove Albion on 1 October 1992.

It was in United's 1995-96 double winning season when Beckham established himself in the first team. Playing mainly right midfield (although his preferred position is central midfield) to fill the void left by the departure of Andrei Kanchelskis.

It is Beckham's goals however, which have made him a household name, scoring the winner in the F.A. Cup semi-final against Chelsea and scoring 'that goal' from the half way line on the first game of the 1996-97 season at Wimbledon. His performances have caught the eye of the England manager, Glenn Hoddle, who gave him his full debut on 1 September 1996 versus Moldova in Kishinev. Prior to this Beckham has been capped at youth and Under-21 level.

Beckham was a member of Manchester United's highly successful F.A. Youth Cup team, collecting a winners' medal in 1992, (scoring in the away leg at Crystal Palace) and a runners-up medal in 1993. He also qualified for a Pontin's Central League medal in 1994, playing 16 games for the Reserves.

It was during the 1996-97 season that Beckham came of age, proving to be a permanent fixture in the England and United team. His match winning performances for Manchester United, during the 1996-97 season were enough to convince his fellow professionals to vote for him in the P.F.A. awards. He won the P.F.A. Young Player of the Year award and came second in the P.F.A. Player of the Year. In the same year he also helped United to the European Cup semi-final and another Premier League Championship.

In 1998 he was included in Glenn Hoddle's 22-man squad for the World Cup finals in France. The tournament itself was one of mixed emotions for Beckham. After being left out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, he then scored a fantastic free kick against Colombia in England's final match in the group stages and was hailed a national hero. However, four days later he became the villain after being sent off in the second round match against Argentina. It was the first sending off of his professional career.

Did You Know? When David Beckham was twelve years old, he won a Bobby Charlton Soccer Skills award. The award was presented to him at Old Trafford on a match day. The prize included a trip to the Nou Camp stadium, Barcelona.

On Saturday 22nd February 1997 David Beckham scored the equalising goal v Chelsea. The speed of the shot was measured at 97.9 mph.

As a youngster one of David Beckhams idols was Glenn Hoddle.

In the 1994-95 season he scored for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League and for Preston North End in the Third Division.