Ephedra
Species
See text.

Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in the family Ephedraceae and order Ephedrales. These plants occur in dry climates over a wide area mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, across southern Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia, southwestern North America, and, in the Southern Hemisphere, in South America south to Patagonia. They are also called Joint-pine, Jointfir, or Mormon-tea. The Chinese name is 麻黄, ma huang, which means "yellow hemp". Ephedra is also sometimes called sea grape (from the French raisin de mer), although that is also a common name for Coccoloba uvifera.

Species

The following list of species is from the Gymnosperm Database page for Ephedra.

Uses and health concerns

Ephedra distachya

These plants have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes, and are a likely candidate for the Soma plant of Indo-Iranian religion. The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of the plant. Some species in the Ephedra genus have zero alkaloid content and are therefore essentially inert, however the most commonly used species, E. sinica, has a total alkaloid content of 1-3% by dry weight. Ephedrine constitues 40-90% of the alkaloid content, with the remainder consisting of pseudoephedrine and the demethylated forms of each [1]. Ephedrine is considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports.

Beginning in the 1990s, concerns about the safety of Ephedra and Ephedra-based products began to be publicly raised. As Ephedra is a herb, products containing it were marketed as dietary supplements and therefore were exempt from FDA regulation in the United States. Ephedra was found in many popular weight control products, some of which the FDA believed may be hazardous. Sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine raise heart rate and blood pressure and can be particularly hazardous to those with pre-existing cardiac problems.

According to the FDA, 155 deaths can be blamed on Ephedra, most of them related to cardiac problems and strokes. However, many advocates of Ephedra maintain that it is safe when used as directed, and continue to regard it as a dietary supplement rather than as a drug. Critics maintain, however, that there is anecdotal evidence that the use of Ephedra can cause tolerance and dependence. Health food store GNC banned ephedra-containing products in June 2003, and the National Football League banned players from using it as a dietary supplement in 2001.

On December 30, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a ban (effective from 12 April 2004) on the uncontrolled sale of supplement products containing Ephedra, citing "an unreasonable risk of illness or injury" from the use of the drug. Synthetic ephedrine is still available as an ingredient in some over the counter (OTC) medications that are clearly labeled in accordance with FDA regulations. Bulk ephedra herb (such as that used in traditional Chinese medicine) not specifically marketed for human consumption is not under the jurisdiction of the FDA and is therefore unaffected. Several states have enacted their own laws regarding the sale of ephedra and ephedra-based products, some stricter than the non-statutory FDA regulation.

On 14 April 2005, this ban was struck down on procedural grounds by Utah federal judge Tena Campbell [2]. However, as of July 2005, diet supplement manufacturers, including the very company that challenged the ephedra ban in court, are still reluctant to reintroduce ephedra into their product lines.

In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona tested positive for ephedrine in a doping control for using one dietary supplement product containing the substance.


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In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona tested positive for ephedrine in a doping control for using one dietary supplement product containing the substance. David Beckham's left foot." - From the film Love Actually, said by Hugh Grant, posed as Britain's Prime Minister. However, as of July 2005, diet supplement manufacturers, including the very company that challenged the ephedra ban in court, are still reluctant to reintroduce ephedra into their product lines. David Beckham's right foot. On 14 April 2005, this ban was struck down on procedural grounds by Utah federal judge Tena Campbell [2]. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. Several states have enacted their own laws regarding the sale of ephedra and ephedra-based products, some stricter than the non-statutory FDA regulation. "We may be a small country but we're a great one, too.

Bulk ephedra herb (such as that used in traditional Chinese medicine) not specifically marketed for human consumption is not under the jurisdiction of the FDA and is therefore unaffected. "David Beckham must never go near a penalty kick again! — The Sun. Synthetic ephedrine is still available as an ingredient in some over the counter (OTC) medications that are clearly labeled in accordance with FDA regulations. "Without being too harsh on David Beckham, he cost us the match." - Ian Wright, former England striker. On December 30, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a ban (effective from 12 April 2004) on the uncontrolled sale of supplement products containing Ephedra, citing "an unreasonable risk of illness or injury" from the use of the drug. Apart from that he's alright." — George Best. Health food store GNC banned ephedra-containing products in June 2003, and the National Football League banned players from using it as a dietary supplement in 2001. "He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle, and he doesn't score many goals.

Critics maintain, however, that there is anecdotal evidence that the use of Ephedra can cause tolerance and dependence. "David Beckham is Britain's finest striker of a football not because of God-given talent but because he practises with a relentless application that the vast majority of less gifted players wouldn't contemplate" — Sir Alex Ferguson (1999)[20]. However, many advocates of Ephedra maintain that it is safe when used as directed, and continue to regard it as a dietary supplement rather than as a drug. "10 heroic lions, one stupid boy" — Daily Mirror headline after Beckham's sending off against Argentina. According to the FDA, 155 deaths can be blamed on Ephedra, most of them related to cardiac problems and strokes. Some regarded Beckham as instrumental in the success of the Olympic bid for London 2012. Sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine raise heart rate and blood pressure and can be particularly hazardous to those with pre-existing cardiac problems. He has bought a multi-million dollar home in The Palm, Jumeirah, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Ephedra was found in many popular weight control products, some of which the FDA believed may be hazardous. Beckham is viewed by some as the most famous example of metrosexuality, a type of personality which combines feminine and masculine characteristics. As Ephedra is a herb, products containing it were marketed as dietary supplements and therefore were exempt from FDA regulation in the United States. It has been speculated that he believed it to be too effeminate. Beginning in the 1990s, concerns about the safety of Ephedra and Ephedra-based products began to be publicly raised. Allegedly, in May 2003 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson ordered Beckham not to wear his hair band during matches. Ephedrine is considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports. It is about a British Sikh girl who idolises David Beckham and harbours ambitions of being a football player.

Ephedrine constitues 40-90% of the alkaloid content, with the remainder consisting of pseudoephedrine and the demethylated forms of each [1]. He has become more well known in North America since the success of the British film Bend It Like Beckham. sinica, has a total alkaloid content of 1-3% by dry weight. For the first time, the Beckham 'brand' had been tainted. Some species in the Ephedra genus have zero alkaloid content and are therefore essentially inert, however the most commonly used species, E. Following his move to Real Madrid and the disappointment of Euro 2004, British media interest in the Beckham's has faded despite an alleged affair with Rebecca Loos, his former personal assistant. The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of the plant. Despite the USA's uneven acceptance of soccer, Beckham's recognition in the USA is strong enough to enable him to appear in print and television advertising for various sponsors, including Gillette razors.

These plants have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes, and are a likely candidate for the Soma plant of Indo-Iranian religion. Early on in his career Beckham secured a number of lucrative sponsorship deals including Brylcreem, Adidas, Vodafone (which ended in July 2005) and Diesel. The following list of species is from the Gymnosperm Database page for Ephedra. Beckham is one of only four players to have appeared 100 times in the Champions League.[19]. Ephedra is also sometimes called sea grape (from the French raisin de mer), although that is also a common name for Coccoloba uvifera. He captained his country for a landmark 50th time in the friendly international against Argentina in November 2005. The Chinese name is 麻黄, ma huang, which means "yellow hemp". Beckham is also a reasonable candidate to record 100 appearances for his country.

They are also called Joint-pine, Jointfir, or Mormon-tea. If so, he would become only the sixth England player to represent his country at three World Cup competitions (although Sol Campbell and Michael Owen are expected to achieve this feat at the same time), and the fourth (after Billy Wright, Bobby Moore and Bryan Robson) to captain the team at more than one World Cup. These plants occur in dry climates over a wide area mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, across southern Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia, southwestern North America, and, in the Southern Hemisphere, in South America south to Patagonia. Beckham made his 85th appearance for England in 2005 and is expected to captain the team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in the family Ephedraceae and order Ephedrales. In January, Beckham was named a judge for the 2006 British Book Awards, while his wife Victoria Beckham announced plans to write a children's book. Ephedra viridis Coville - Green Ephedra, Green Mormon-tea. Currently (as of 30 December), the performance of Real Madrid is even more sluggish than last year with the team is 11 points behind their main rivals FC Barcelona, who are topping the table with 40 points.

- Longleaf Ephedra, Longleaf Jointfir, Longleaf Mormon-tea, Popotilla, Teposote. The turnover of the company equates to David Beckham earning almost £47,500 every day, before expenses. Ephedra trifurca Torrey ex S.Wats. He owns a company called Footwork Productions Ltd. - Torrey's Ephedra, Torrey's Jointfir, Torrey's Mormon-tea, Cañutillo. Beckham established two football academies bearing his name, one in Los Angeles and one in East London. Ephedra torreyana S.Wats. On December 3, 2005, in the Real Madrid v Getafe match in the Spanish league, Beckham was again sent off in the 58th minute for a rash tackle.

Ephedra sinica Stapf - Ma Huang, Chinese ephedra. Having received a yellow card, he appeared to sarcastically applaud the referee and was given a second yellow card, causing an automatic dismissal, athough the dismissal was cancelled on appeal two days later. Ephedra saxatilis (Stapf) Royle ex Florin. Shortly afterwards, Beckham was sent off while playing in a league match for Real Madrid against Valencia. Ephedra regeliana Florin - Xi Zi Ma Huang. Four days later they beat Poland 2-1 to top the qualifying group. & Bobr.) C.Y.Cheng. Nonetheless, England held on to win the match 1-0 and later qualified for the 2006 tournament due to results elsewhere.

kaschgarica (B.Fedtsch. In October 2005, while playing in the World Cup Qualifying match against Austria, Beckham became the first England captain to be sent off, and the first player to be sent off twice while playing for England. Ephedra przewalskii var. Real Madrid had another disappointing season, finishing second in the league to Barcelona and only reaching the last sixteen in the UEFA Champions League. Ephedra przewalskii Stapf

    . Beckham became a UNICEF goodwill amabassador in January 2005, having supported the charity for a number of years.[18]. - Vine Ephedra, Vine Jointfir. The following month, the announcement of plans for the christening of the Beckhams' two children, including the construction of a fake Gothic chapel for £120,000 on the grounds of their Berkshire estate, were received with some ridicule, especially as neither are held to be strongly religious.

    ex S.Wats. In November 2004 it was reported that Real Madrid intended to offer Beckham a two-year extension to his contract, which would effectively keep him in Madrid for the remainder of his playing career. Ephedra pedunculata Engelm. The Football Association asked Beckham for an explanation of his actions and he admitted that he had "made a mistake" and apologised.[17]. - Nevada Ephedra, Nevada Jointfir, Nevada Mormon-tea. Beckham was due to receive a one-match suspension for his next caution, and picked up an injury which he knew would keep him out of England's next match, so he deliberately fouled Thatcher in order to serve his suspension in a match that he would have had to miss anyway. Ephedra nevadensis S.Wats. Beckham made more headlines on 9 October when he admitted he had intentionally fouled Ben Thatcher in an England match against Wales in order to get himself booked.

    Ephedra monosperma C.A.Meyer Ephedra viridis in western Nevada . Victoria and their children were in the house at the time, but security guards apprehended the man before he reached the house.[16]. Ephedra minuta Florin. In July 2004, while David was in pre-season training in Spain, an intruder scaled a wall at the Beckhams' home while carrying a can of petrol. procera Fischer & C.A.Meyer. England lost the shootout and went out of the competition. Ephedra major subsp. He had a penalty saved in England's 2-1 defeat to France and missed another in a penalty shootout in the quarter final against Portugal.

    Ephedra major Host

      . Beckham played in all of England's matches at Euro 2004, but the tournament was a disappointment for him. Ephedra macedonica Kos. Real Madrid finished the season in a diasppointing fourth place, and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage. Ephedra likiangensis Florin. Real Madrid denied rumours that they were interested in selling Beckham, and banned British reporters from access to the team. Ephedra lepidosperma C.Y.Cheng. Sources within the family told the Telegraph that Beckham would almost certainly be back in London.

      Ephedra intermedia Schrenk ex C.A.Meyer. Near the end of the 2003-04 season, The Daily Telegraph reported that Beckham's major sponsors were trying to arrange for him to return to England for the 2004-05 season. Ephedra gerardiana Wallich ex C.A.Meyer - Gerard's Jointfir, Shan Ling Ma Huang. Beckham dismissed both accusations as "ludicrous".[15]. Ephedra funerea Coville & Morton - Death Valley Ephedra, Death Valley Jointfir. A week later, the Malaysian-born Australian model Sarah Marbeck claimed that she had slept with Beckham on two occasions. Ephedra frustillata Miers - Patagonian Ephedra. Beckham had further problems in April 2004, when the British tabloid News of the World carried claims by his former personal assistant Rebecca Loos that he and Loos had had an extramarital affair.

      & Graebn. Beckham immediately became a favourite with the Real Madrid supporters, scoring five times in his first 16 matches, but the team, whose club president expected them to win either the Spanish league or the Champions League each season, were not performing well. campylopoda (C.A.Meyer) Aschers. He chose to wear 23 instead, in tribute to Michael Jordan who had worn that number for the Chicago Bulls. Ephedra fragilis subsp. Although Beckham had worn the number seven shirt for Manchester United and England, he was unable to wear it at Madrid as Raúl had the right to wear it written into his contract. Ephedra fragilis Desf.

        . It was reported that this tour would earn more money for the Beckhams than the first year of David's Real Madrid contract.

        Ephedra fedtschenkoae Pauls. At the time the transfer was announced, Beckham and his wife were on a week-long tour of Asia promoting beauty products, chocolate, motor oil, and mobile phones. - Arizona Ephedra, Arizona Jointfir, Desert Mormon-tea. For example, Real Madrid shirts bearing his name and number sold out in Madrid on the day his transfer was completed and the club were expected to receive €624,000 for the sale of the shirts. Ephedra fasciculata A.Nels. It was speculated that Real's desire to sign him came from the merchandising opportunities he would bring as well as from his football ability. Ephedra equisetina Bunge - Ma huang. The transfer was completed on 1 July and made him the third Englishman to ever play for the club after Laurie Cunningham in the 1980s and Steve McManaman in the late 1990s to early 2000s.

        & Graebn. On June 17, 2003, Beckham signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid of Spain, potentially worth up to €35 million (£25 million, USD 41 million). helvetica (C.A.Meyer) Aschers. He was still a first-choice player for England, however, and he was awarded an OBE for services to football on 13 June.[14]. Ephedra distachya subsp. Beckham scored the winning goal in their final match of the season. - Joint-pine, Jointfir

          . The incident led to a great deal of transfer speculation involving Beckham, with bookmakers offering odds on whether he or Ferguson would be first to leave the club.[13] Although the team had started the season badly, their results improved greatly from December onwards and they won the league.

          Ephedra distachya L. His relationship with his manager deteriorated further on 15 February 2003 when, in the changing room following a defeat to Arsenal, Alex Ferguson kicked a football boot which struck Beckham over the eye, causing a cut which required stitches. Ephedra cutleri Peebles - Navajo Ephedra, Cutler's Ephedra, Cutler Mormon-tea, Cutler's Jointfir. Following an injury early in the 2002-03 season, Beckham was unable to regain his place in the team, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær having replaced him on the right side of midfield. Ephedra coryi E.L.Reed - Cory's Ephedra. England were eventually knocked out of the tournament by Brazil in the Quarter-Finals. - California Ephedra, California Jointfir. Beckham scored the only goal of the match against Argentina, with a penalty.

          Ephedra californica S.Wats. He was partially fit by the time of the 2002 World Cup and played in the first match against Sweden. - Boundary Ephedra, Pitamoreal. [12]. ex S.Wats. The income from his new contract and the many endorsement deals he had made him the highest-paid player in the world at the time. Ephedra aspera Engelm. The injury prevented Beckham from playing for United for the rest of the season, but he signed a three-year contract in May, following months of negotiations with the club, mostly concerning extra payments for his image rights.

          ex C.A.Meyer - Clapweed, Erect Ephedra. Those speculations were unfounded, though, and the accusations were never proved. Ephedra antisyphilitica Berl. There was speculation that the injury might have been caused deliberately, as the player who had injured Beckham was Argentinian Aldo Duscher and England and Argentina were due to meet in that year's World Cup [11]. Ephedra altissima Desf. On April 10, 2002, Beckham was injured during a Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruña, breaking the metatarsal bones of his left foot. Ephedra alata Decne. Shortly afterwards, he was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2001.

          With Teddy Sheringham being fouled some eight yards outside the Greek penalty area, England was awarded a free-kick and Beckham ensured England's qualification by with a curling strike of the kind which had become his trademark. England needed to win or draw the match in order to qualify for the World Cup, but were losing 2–1 with little time remaining. The final step in Beckham's conversion from villain to hero happened in England's 2–2 draw against Greece on 6 October 2001. He helped England to qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals, with their performances including an impressive 5–1 victory over Germany in Munich.

          Following Kevin Keegan's resignation as England manager in October 2000, Beckham was promoted to team captain by the caretaker manager Peter Taylor, and then kept the role under new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. The abuse that Beckham was receiving from English supporters peaked during England's 3–2 defeat by Portugal in Euro 2000, when a group of England supporters taunted him throughout the match with chants including "we hope your kid dies of cancer".[9] Beckham responded with a one-fingered gesture and, while the gesture attracted some criticism, many of the newspapers that had previously encouraged his vilification asked their readers to stop abusing him.[10]. He later criticised Beckham in an updated edition of his 1999 autobiography, claiming he hadn't been "fair to his team mates".[8] Beckham had a good season for his club, though, and helped United to win the Premier League by a record margin. He responded by fining Beckham the maximum amount that was permitted (two weeks' wages – then £50,000) and dropping him for a crucial match against United's rivals Leeds United.

          In 2000, the club gave Beckham permission to miss training to look after his son Brooklyn, who had gastroenteritis, but Ferguson was furious when Victoria Beckham was photographed at a London Fashion Week event on the same night, and he realised that Beckham would have been able to train if Victoria had looked after Brooklyn that day. The relationship between Ferguson and Beckham began to deteriorate, possibly as a result of Beckham's fame and commitments away from football. It was suggested in the press that his wife was a bad influence on him, and that it might be in United's interests to sell him,[7] but his manager publicly backed him and he stayed at the club. Despite Beckham's achievements in the 1998-99 season, he was still unpopular among opposition fans and many journalists, and he was heavily criticised after being sent off for a deliberate foul in Manchester United's World Club Championship match against Necaxa.

          437 staff were employed for the wedding reception, which was estimated to have cost UK£500,000.[6]. They were later accused of bad taste after photographs showed that they had sat on thrones for the ceremony. The media were kept away from the ceremony as the Beckhams had a deal with OK! Magazine giving them exclusive rights for photographs. Beckham's teammate Gary Neville was the best man, and Brooklyn was the ring bearer.

          The wedding attracted enormous media coverage. He married Victoria at Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland on 4 July 1999. Both of the goals came from corners taken by Beckham, and this, combined with his performances over the rest of the season, led to him finishing runner up for 1999's European Footballer of the Year award. United were losing the Champions League final 1–0 at the end of normal time, but won the trophy by scoring two goals in stoppage time.

          Beckham played in United's FA Cup final win over Newcastle and played in centre-midfield for the UEFA Champions League final as United's first choice centre-midfielders were suspended for the match. Beckham scored their equaliser and United went on to win the match and the league. United needed to win their final league match of the season at home to Tottenham Hotspur to ensure they would win the league championship, but Tottenham took an early lead in the match. On a more positive note for Beckham, Victoria gave birth to their first child Brooklyn on 4 March 1999.

          United's supporters had mostly forgiven him for the problems he'd had with England, and were frequently heard to chant "Argentina" in response to the other supporters' taunts. Throughout the season, Beckham was jeered by opposition supporters whenever he touched the ball, but he consistently played well and his crossing provided a significant number of goals for United's forwards Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. There had been speculation that the criticism that he had received after being sent off in the World Cup would lead to him leaving England, but he decided to stay at Manchester United. In the 1998–99 season, he was part of the United team that won the "treble" — Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, a unique feat in English football.

          Many supporters and journalists blamed Beckham for England's elimination and he became the target of severe criticism and abuse, including the hanging of an effigy outside a London pub, and the Daily Mirror newspaper printing a dartboard with a picture of him in the middle.[5]. Simeone later admitted to trying to get Beckham sent off by over-reacting to the kick and then, along with other members of his team, waving imaginary red cards at the referee, urging him to send Beckham off.[4] The match finished in a draw and England were eliminated in a penalty shootout. As Beckham lay on the pitch he held out his right leg as Simeone backed into it and fell over. In the second round of that competition, he received a red card in England's match against Argentina, for kicking out at Diego Simeone following a foul challenge by the Argentine.

          He was picked for their third match against Colombia, which England needed to win to ensure their progress in the tournament, and played well, scoring one of his trademark free kicks in a 2–0 victory. Beckham had played in all of England's qualifying matches for the 1998 World Cup and travelled with the England squad to the finals in France, but the team's manager Glenn Hoddle publicly accused him of not concentrating on the tournament,[3] and he didn't start in either of England's first two matches. United started the season well, but their results deteriorated when several players became injured and they finished the season in second place. Their relationship attracted a great deal of media interest.

          In 1998, Beckham started dating the Spice Girl Victoria Adams and was pictured wearing a sarong while they were on holiday together. He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers. He became an automatic first-choice player at United that season, scoring a series of blistering goals and sublime free kicks, thus helping them to retain their league championship. Beckham's name was frequently mentioned in the press, and he made his first appearance for the England national football team on 1 September 1996 in a world cup qualifying a match against Moldova.

          Sky Sports' commentator Martin Tyler's words "You'll see that over and over again" proved prophetic as the goal was voted Premier League 'Goal of the Decade' in 2003. With United 2–0 ahead, Beckham noticed that Wimbledon's goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was standing a long way out of his goal, and hit a shot from the halfway line that floated over the goalkeeper and into the net. In August 1996, Beckham became something of a household name when he scored a spectacular goal in a match against Wimbledon. Beckham became a regular player in the team and helped them to win the Premiership and FA Cup double that season, scoring the winner in the semi-final against Chelsea and also supplying the corner kick cross that Eric Cantona scored with a volley from in the FA Cup Final.

          The criticism of Ferguson increased when United started the season with a 3–1 defeat at Aston Villa F.C.[2], with Beckham scoring United's only goal of the game, but many of the doubters were won over when the team won their next five matches. United manager Alex Ferguson had large confidence in the club's young players and when three of his first-team players left the club at the end of the 1994-95 season, he made the decision to let the youth team players replace them instead of buying players from other clubs. He went to Preston North End on loan in the 1994-95 season to get some first team experience, then made his first Premier League appearance for Manchester United on 2 April 1995, in a goalless draw against Leeds. United reached the final of the Youth Cup again the following year, with Beckham playing in their defeat by Leeds United, and he won another medal in 1994 when the club's reserve team won their league.

          He had his first appearance for United's first team that year, as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion, and signed his first professional contract shortly afterwards. These players later helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1992, with Beckham scoring in the second leg of the final against Crystal Palace. He was part of an exceptionally talented group of young players at the club, including the future internationals Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs Phil Neville and Gary Neville. He signed schoolboy forms at United on his fourteenth birthday in 1989, then signed a Youth Training Scheme contract on 8 July 1991.

          The young Beckham had trials with Leyton Orient and attended Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence, but once Manchester United offered him a place there was no doubting which club he would go to. He was Manchester United's mascot for a match against West Ham United in 1986. At the age of eleven, he attended one of Bobby Charlton's soccer schools in Manchester and won the chance to take part in a training session at FC Barcelona in a talent competition. David was a strong cross-country runner who regularly finished first in his age group in the Essex cross-country championships, but he had inherited his parents' love of Manchester United and his main passion was football.

          Both have also obtained matching tattoos from the Song of Songs that says, in Hebrew: “I am for my beloved, and my beloved is for me, who grazes sheep in rose-like pastures.”) The Beckhams were fanatical Manchester United supporters, who would regularly travel to Old Trafford by coach and frequently went to away games. (Presently, Beckham and his wife have embraced the mystic Jewish offshoot of Kabbalah. In his first autobiography My World, which was serialised in OK! Magazine, David was quoted as saying; "I've probably had more contact with Judaism than with any other religion." Beckham is Jewish on his maternal grandfather's side. Beckham was born in Leytonstone, east London, the son of Ted Beckham (a kitchen fitter) and Sandra West (a hairdresser).

          . Beckham's relationship with and marriage to the former Spice Girl Victoria (née Adams) has contributed towards him becoming a major celebrity away from football, and his name was searched for on Google more than that of any other sporting personality in 2003 and 2004.[1] The Beckhams have three sons, Brooklyn, born March 4, 1999, Romeo, born September 1, 2002, and Cruz, born February 20, 2005. As of November 2005, Beckham has had 5 different coaches in Real Madrid and failed to win any major trophies with his struggling new team. While his performances for Real Madrid have attracted praise, the team itself has been in turmoil.

          His relationship with the club's manager Sir Alex Ferguson began to deteriorate, though, and although he won further league championships with United in 2000 and 2001, he left the club to join Real Madrid in 2003. Beckham became a figure of public hatred among many English football supporters, but he continued to play well and helped United win the league, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League the following year. He was soon selected to play for England, but after winning another league medal in 1997, he was sent off in a World Cup match against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone. By 1995, he had established himself as a first-team player at United and won Premier League and FA Cup winners' medals with the club in 1996.

          He signed schoolboy forms for Manchester United in 1989, became a trainee in 1991 and signed a professional contract with them soon after making his first first-team appearance in 1992. He is also famed for his celebrity lifestyle trappings, media attention and marketing potential. He currently plays for Real Madrid and as captain of the English national team, especially noted for the quality of his crossing and ability to hit free-kicks and corners, particularly from long-range. David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975 in Leytonstone, London) is an English footballer, widely regarded as the most famous player in the sport.

          ^  Managing My Life 137. The others are Paolo Maldini, Gary Neville and Raúl. ^  As of December 2005. URL accessed on October 9, 2005..

          UNICEF official website. ^  David Beckham, Goodwill Ambassador. URL accessed on October 6, 2005.. BBC News, 14 October 2004.

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          URL accessed on October 7, 2005.. ESPN Socernet, 2 April 2002. ^  Did 'hatchet man' target Beckham?. URL accessed on October 4, 2005..

          BBC News, 14 June 2000. ^  Media sympathy for Beckham's gesture. URL accessed on October 4, 2005.. New Statesman, 26 June 2000.

          Leader — Play games behind closed doors. ^  A reference to Brooklyn. ^  Quoted in The Boss 468. URL accessed on October 6, 2005..

          BBC News, 7 January 2000. ^  Man Utd's flawed genius?. URL accessed on December 2, 2005.. BBC News, 5 July 1999.

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          URL accessed on October 26, 2005.. Rediff Sports, 19 May 2002. ^  Simeone admits trying to get Beckham sent off. URL accessed on October 5, 2005..

          Dispatch Online, 29 June 1998. ^  Beckham Blasts Hoddle. Beckham scored United's goal from a distance of around 30 metres. ^  The most famous comment was Alan Hansen's "You can't win anything with kids.", quoted in The Boss 405.

          URL accessed on October 9, 2005.. Google.com. URL accessed on October 9, 2005., 2004 Year-End Google Zeitgeist. Google.com.

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