BECKHAM SHOULD COUNT HIS BLESSINGS
David Beckham tore an Achilles tendon
By Frederick Forsyth
IN A tragic playing accident David Beckham tore an Achilles tendon.
The damage was enough to preclude any chance of his playing in the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
An operation to repair the tendon took place in a state-of-the-art clinic in Finland. He has been seen weeping copiously. I was struck by this.
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Master Beckham is a multi-millionaire married to a singer-turned-designer with three lively children. He is a popular star, held up as a role model for millions of youngsters worldwide. He enjoys rude good health and wants for nothing.
Disappointments are part of life and he has participated in three World Cups (we didn’t win any of them). He played for Manchester United to the delight of millions of his fellow countrymen then left to play for the Spaniards – for more money. He left Madrid to play for the Americans – for more money.
Football skills apart, the divine providence has showered more blessings on David Beckham than any man has a right to expect. Down at Headley Court are scores of younger men crippled for life in service of their country. They are poor as church mice but they do not weep for themselves.
Standing in the rain at Wootton Bassett are citizens young and old and they weep but only for the dead soldiers passing by. never for themselves. Working with several charities I see children with cerebral palsy confined to wheelchairs for life. But they are merry and grateful for the smallest kindness.
In six months David Beckham will walk again, jump again, run again. Those children, those soldiers, never will.
Over a century ago Disraeli lamented that he governed a land in which were two nations. It still is. But the two are not, as in his day, the rich and the poor, nor the north and the South, nor the black and the white.
They are the true Brits and the big girls’ blouses who infest our TV and football pitches.
BECKHAM SHOULD COUNT HIS BLESSINGS
20.03.10, 10:46am
For the first time that I can remember I think Freddy is talking rubbish. I don't see how he can relate Buckram's disappointment to that of an injured soldier, and believe me there is no-one who has stronger feelings for our injured troops than I do; but we can't use them as a benchmark for everything.
As for Britain being a divided nation again he is wrong; we are a shattered nation. We have the indigenous Britts, Scotts, English and Welsh, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindu's, rich, poor, young and old. We have all settled in to our ghettos and relations between each is limited.
Unfortunately the Bliar Government and of late that of Brown along with their liberal brainwashing of society has only mad things worse. Sadly I do not see the closet socialist, that boy David Cameron making things any better should he ever become P.M.
• Posted by: cyclops • Report Comment
I DON'T ENTIRELY AGREE
19.03.10, 10:57pm
In fact I consider you well out of order on this one
Fred.For a start as well as taking hell of a lot from the sport,and that's what he signed up for, he put heck of a lot back in sheer entertainment, his charitable work has always been beyond reproach.
his tears as Debwat offered were brought on by frustration at not being able to cap his career at his
final World Cup. I would not want to see him in any
capacity other than a s a player. But I believe he has a lot of experience and skills to pass onto the young and I feel this is his future now.Whatever
good luck to the lad. I'll still enjoy your books Fred,
I've read them all.
• Posted by: dunnit • Report Comment
BECKHAM
19.03.10, 10:43pm
Like Mr Forsyth I have no sympathy for Beckhams & his tears, he has been able to get first class treatment because of who he is and his money---no footballer is worth the kind of money the like of him get--it is no longer a sport it is BIG Business and he would not have stayed in footbal if the money had not been there. The Forces personel who are maimed for life and those who, lose their lives, they are not in it for the money-- they are proud British citizens who put their Queen and Country above their own lives. If Beckham is such a Hero let him give some of his money to the fatherless children, children who will never see Daddy again because he was killed fighting for his Country.
• Posted by: ramon1940 • Report Comment
DAVID BECKHAM IS ENGLISH
19.03.10, 7:16pm
I disagree with you, Freddie.
I believe he was crying through frustration. It is his dream to be in an English World Cup winning football team. He won't now achieve that dream. He has more money than he and his family will every need and he knows it.
The fact that he forfeited £2 Million to play with AC Milan, in order to get himself selected to play for our Nation, will prove that this is more than money to him. It is his life, his ambition, his desire. Nothing else matters, apart from his family, of course.
So, give him a break and let him be English, don't run him down for that's what the Blairs and the Browns of the UK really want. They want to bring the English to its knees. So, are you with them or with us?
The whole world knows David Beckham is English. For our sakes, pay him some respect as you do so rightly, to those neglected soldiers of ours. And why don't you ask him to go see these brave men and honour them? I am sure he would.
• Posted by: Debwat • Report Comment
BECKS
19.03.10, 2:53pm
He was crying because the fans wont see him in the world cup. His concern is for the distraught fans. Always has been no matter where he played. The tears were for the fans everywhere, and more specifically where he may play in the future.
Athletes throughout sports tear achilles tendons and other body parts on a regular basis. Very few would describe the injuries as tragic unless the injury was permanently crippling.
• Posted by: kennymac825 • Report Comment
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