Soccer: Grown-up Beckham relishing position as new role model

By GLENN MOORE

It was not just models the Football Association needed to unveil the new England kit yesterday.

For an organisation hyper-sensitive to public opinion, role models were required. Step forward Liverpool's clean-living, clean-cut Michael Owen, never known to put a word wrong.

And David Beckham. Sarong-wearing, shaven-headed, obscene gesture-making, red-carded Beckham.

As the man most likely to sell shirts off his own back, the Manchester United midfielder was an obvious choice. But so, in his time, was Paul Gascoigne. The FA would not, though, have risked using Gazza as a clothes-horse. Unlike Gascoigne in his heyday, however, "Becks" has grown up.

Apart from being a good example to youth by virtue of being a devoted husband and doting father who has never been seen drunk in charge of a kebab at 2am, Beckham has also addressed his behaviour on the pitch.

While he refused to allow Gennaro Gattuso's punch to provoke him in the international against Italy in Turin last November because of the captain's armband on his England shirt, Beckham yesterday put more recent displays of restraint down to a growing awareness of his influence as a celebrity.

His composure when kicked against Valencia recently was, he said, just one example of several occasions when: "I've just got on with it whereas a couple of years ago I might have reacted.

"There are kids watching. A lot has been said about kids looking up to their idols and I would rather they see me cross a ball, or score a great goal, than the other things that have gone on."

Given the abuse he still endures, another show of petulance cannot be ruled out for good. Beckham effectively admitted it was still a struggle when he listed "improving as a person on the pitch" among his ambitions.

Other ambitions were more prosaic. "I need to reach another level. Last year I was sixth in the World Player of the Year poll, the year before I was second. I want to carry on and be first."

There seemed little likelihood of that happening this year, after Beckham began it with a run of disappointing performances.

But he said: "It's not been a dip in form. A month ago I had flu. I should have sat it out and missed three games. Being the person I am I wanted to play through it and it caught up with me. Against Arsenal (on Monday) I felt a lot fitter and a lot better."

Attention then turned to England. Beckham hopes to be named new coach Sven Goran Eriksson's captain for tomorrow's match against Spain, but said: "If I am not, it is not a blow. If it does not happen again I can always say I have been England captain. I'll never forget that."

The other issue surrounding Beckham is where he will play. Did the way Valencia twice shackled him on the right flank in a Champions League match last week suggest he needs to be positioned in the centre?

"It probably is easier to get out of tight marking in the centre but I have to learn to escape it on the right," Beckham said.

"I enjoy any chance to go into the middle, being more involved, but I'll play anywhere for England."

And to prove the astuteness of the FA's choice as clothes model, Beckham, adidas's flagship English footballer, added: "We need to start winning competitions. This is a new start, new manager, new kit."

The man from Umbro smiled.

- HERALD CORRESPONDENT