Latest news with #Classof92
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Class of 92 looking for hotel investment
The Class of 92 and co-owner Peter Lim are looking for strategic investment into Hotel hotel, situated barely 50 yards from Old Trafford, has become a popular matchday venue for Manchester United fans since it opened in March owns 75% of the hotel, with the Class of 92 having the remaining 25%.Hotel Football's latest accounts show it made a loss of £601,000 to 31 December 2023, although it generated a healthy operating profit of £590,430 and recorded a 21% growth in investment is required for improvements to the cafe area, bedrooms and corridors. The search is in its very early stages, with sources confirming privately the ownership is open minded about the size and type of investment and whether it would result in a partial sale of the is being stressed the move is completely different to the backdrop that led to a new ownership group, which includes former United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville, that took over at League Two Salford City last Salford, Hotel Football does not require investment to help with day-to-day running costs. And, while he decided to pull out of Salford, Lim is happy to retain a significant interest in Hotel Football if negotiations allow.
Powys County Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
David Beckham's rollercoaster journey from Leyton Orient trial to a knighthood
Being knighted would have seemed little more than a distant dream for David Beckham when he used to earn £10 a shift collecting glasses at Walthamstow dog track. Telling the aspiring young footballer he would go on to play for Manchester United and Real Madrid, captain England, marry a pop star and become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, fronting global brands, might well have seemed just as far-fetched. It was, though, not an easy journey for the former midfielder, who turned 50 in May, to achieve all of that success, both on and off the pitch – with the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List showing the estimated combined net worth of Beckham and his wife Victoria at £500million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) Born in Leytonstone, east London, Beckham had a trial at local team Leyton Orient and also attended Tottenham's school of excellence – but his father Ted, a staunch Manchester United fan, remained determined he would go on to play at Old Trafford. After coming through the club's academy as part of the famed 'Class of 92', Beckham announced himself to the Premier League on the opening day of the 1996-97 season with a memorable goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon. While there were plenty of doubters as to what he could go on to achieve, Beckham answered them and more – claiming six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering side as well as a dramatic 1999 Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp. International success, however, proved elusive for Beckham as England's so-called 'golden generation' repeatedly came up short. In a Netflix documentary series, released during October 2023, Beckham revealed he still cannot forgive himself for the abuse his family suffered amid the fallout from his red card at the 1998 World Cup for kicking the back of Diego Simeone's leg during the last-16 clash against Argentina in Saint-Etienne – which left him a 'mess'. A pub hung up an effigy of the midfielder and Beckham received a hostile reception from rival fans around the country when he returned to action for United the following season but, despite the backlash, he went on to become an integral part of the national team. Beckham, possessing an expert dead-ball strike, took on the armband in 2000 for six years through two World Cup tournaments and still stands third on the all-time appearance list with 115 caps. However, the continued glare of the spotlight off the pitch, with Beckham having married Spice Girls singer Victoria in a star-studded ceremony in July 1999, saw his relationship with Ferguson cool – a cut eye from a boot kicked by the Scot in the changing room further fuelling speculation over his future at United. In the summer of 2003, having made almost 400 appearances for United and scoring 85 goals, a £25million switch to Real Madrid followed as Beckham became the latest 'Galactico' signing by club president Florentino Perez. Beckham would go on to win the LaLiga title before he departed for LA Galaxy in 2007 and collected the MLS Cup twice, spending two loan stints at AC Milan along the way. In January 2013, Beckham returned to Europe with Paris St Germain, later announcing his decision to retire at the end of the season, when he signed off with a Ligue 1 winners' medal. Beckham's impact off the pitch, though, had already long been established before eventually hanging up his boots at the age of 38. Already thinking about life after football during his time in the United States, Beckham became a co-owner of the Inter Miami franchise – with the club entering Major League Soccer for the 2020 campaign and now boasting Lionel Messi on the teamsheet. The world is a very tough place for millions of children and a global funding crisis is leaving them more vulnerable. In response, ahead of his 50th birthday, David Beckham is launching a fundraiser for UNICEF, to help children dream and thrive. Donate: — UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 15, 2025 A multi-million-pound lifetime deal with Adidas, signed in 2003, had secured his financial future away from the game. Other lucrative, high-profile endorsements down the years have ranged from fashion designers Calvin Klein, Armani and Hugo Boss to tech giants Samsung, Haig Club whisky and Stella Artois as well as kitchen appliance manufacturer Ninja. Beckham, who was made an OBE for services to football in 2003, has long been involved with children's charity UNICEF, and is a co-owner of film production company Studio 99. In 2024, Beckham was appointed Ambassador for The King's Foundation which works globally to create sustainable communities through placemaking projects and also transform lives through practical education programmes.
NBC News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
David Beckham receives knighthood in King Charles' birthday honors list for services to sport
LONDON — British soccer legend David Beckham, a sporting icon and one of the world's most recognizable faces, has received a knighthood from King Charles III for services to sport and charity, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday. The award, the highest Britain's antiquated honors system can bestow, seems inevitable given Beckham's success as a player and his contribution to the country's culture. For years, Britons have wondered how he has not already been elevated to Sir David. He gets the "gong," as it's known in British parlance, as part of the king's birthday honors list, which rewards notable people from across British society. The move also means his famous wife, Spice Girl-turned-fashion mogul Victoria, will now be known as Lady Beckham. Their marriage in 1999 made them Britain's most famous couple and a near permanent fixture in tabloid newspapers and magazines, an obsession that has lasted into the age of social media. Beckham, 50, rose from an unremarkable east London upbringing to reach sporting glory with his beloved Manchester United, before going on to star for several of Europe's elite teams. He played more than 100 games for the English men's national team, many as captain, and scored at three World Cups. He was part of the famous "Class of 92," a supremely talented group of young players who signed professional deals in 1992 and went on to form the basis of United's imperial phase of dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s. This culminated in the club winning an unprecedented "treble" of titles in 1999: the Premier League, the European Champions League, and the English FA Cup, under manager Alex Ferguson. Beckham won 19 major trophies in his career and became the first English player to win major titles in four different countries. An elegant player, Beckham's intelligence made up for his lack of pace and trickery. He was famous for his long passes that opened up defenses and for devastating free kicks, which, according to former teammates, he spent countless hours perfecting. His career took him to the United States in 2007, where he played for the LA Galaxy and helped to build soccer's profile in the country. Beckham has been an ambassador for Unicef, the United Nations' children's fund, since 2005. Ten years later, the organization launched a fund in his name. Beckham's post-playing career was shaped in part by media entrepreneur Simon Fuller, formerly manager of the Spice Girls. Fuller was instrumental in putting a clause in his contract that would give him a stake in an MLS franchise for $25 million when he finished playing. As a result, he is now president and co-owner of the Inter Miami MLS franchise, currently home to Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Beckham has maintained a higher profile than any footballer of his generation. From waiting for hours in the miles-long line to see Queen Elizabeth's coffin (apparently without asking for special access) in 2022 to a four-part Emmy-winning docuseries on Netflix last year, his star profile remains huge. In 2017, it looked like a knighthood was a long way off when leaked emails allegedly written by Beckham were highly critical of the honors system. A spokesperson for the Beckhams said at the time that the stolen emails were "hacked and doctored." While awarded by the king, or at least a senior royal, honors are actually decided by committees of politicians, civil servants, and leading business figures. The overall process is managed by 10 Downing Street, the private office and residence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who received a knighthood in 2014.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I was a Man Utd academy star – I was told to cut my hair, fined for getting a tattoo and dropped after scoring a penalty
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED star DJ Buffonge could have been another star graduate from the club's academy, like his pal Marcus Rashford. However, the 26-year-old, now without a club, has lifted the lid on the realities of life when trying to forge a path into professional football, both the good and the bad. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 DJ Buffonge has opened up on his four years in the Man Utd academy Credit: Getty 2 His time there included glowing review from top legends but also harsh reminders of how political football can be Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow In an interview with The Athletic, Buffonge spoke about joining the Red Devils at the age of 16, having previously played for Arsenal and Fulham - the latter of which is where he says he had the most enjoyment from his career. After five years with Fulham, the midfielder was lured to Man Utd by then Under-18s coach Paul McGuinness, who invited him and his dad out to lunch and gave a glowing review of Buffonge's skillset and potential. On trial ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, he also earned the seal of approval from Class of 92' legends Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, then assistant to manager Louis van Gaal and head of academy respectively. Buffonge explains how the pair gave him some really "encouraging" advice as they broke down what they did and didn't like about his game. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GET IT DON Sancho at centre of three-way Prem transfer war as Chelsea line up Man U pal His start to Man Utd academy life under McGuinness and later Kieran McKenna was generally happy, despite a torn abductor which he suffered while making a pass to Rashford. However, after McKenna promoted Buffonge to the Under-23 side —following the now-Ipswich boss telling him under-18s football was "too easy" for him — more problems began to surface. Despite then boss, Warren Joyce, having great success by winning the youth league title in six out of eight years he was the manager, Buffonge described the set-up as "like an army camp". Buffonge explains that he didn't get much of a look-in for actual minutes behind the likes of Scott McTominay - then playing as a striker - because it was more focused on "if you can run up and down in training". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But prior to Joyce leaving to take over at Wigan, Buffonge revealed how the coach had told him he would not be making his debut under Jose Mourinho until the now 17-year-old cut his hair - a comment Joyce does not recall making but admits was in his coaching style. He said: "Warren Joyce would make comments like, 'I'm gonna tell Mourinho you're not gonna make your debut with him until you cut your hair.' I was just thinking, 'I don't understand. 'Better than what we currently have' - Man Utd fans drooling over Wayne Rooney's son Kai's goal for academy team "They're joking around, but I really want to play. I don't see the correlation between my hair and me playing.' In football, there's a lot of banter... but even if it was said as banter, it stuck with me because when you're fighting for your place, everything feels like a signal. "I'm a young kid trying to get minutes, and I'm asking for guidance, and if you're guiding me to cut my hair, that doesn't really make sense... I did cut it a couple of months later — not fully off — but nothing changed from that point.' Joyce does not recall making the comment, but admits his style of coaching means it was the sort of thing he might have said. Later on, Buffonge was fined a week's wages for getting a tattoo on his chest that read: "I was put on this earth to achieve my greatest self, to live out my purpose and to do it courageously." That was despite a rule at the time saying no youth player was allowed to get tattoos. However, his eventual exit from the club was set in motion under Joyce's replacement, Ricky Sbragia in August 2018. Buffonge explained how, in the third game of the season against Southampton, he had won a penalty and, in the heat of the moment, took it ahead of assigned taker Angel Gomes and later caught him a huge "b*********" for his trouble - despite Gomes being okay with it on the pitch. The next game Buffonge was in the stands, which then became a more permanent feature for him after Sbragia made choices in collaboration with senior club staff to drop him. Buffonge said: "That was the moment I started feeling some decisions weren't even about football anymore — it felt political. No one could tell me directly what the issue was." Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Other than the sporadic five-minute cameos, Buffonge often saw his game limited. Yet later on, when having lunch, he was chatted to by first-team boss Mourinho - who had known Buffonge from his days at Fulham with the Portuguese's own son playing for the Cottagers at the same time. Buffonge said: "He came over and said, 'DJ, I want to know why you've not been playing recently. The last game you were doing good. Are you not fit? What's the problem?'. And I told him, 'I honestly don't know.' 'Mourinho said, 'OK, now you're going to come train with us, and I'm gonna tell you the reason why I think you don't play.' I ended up training with them most of the time. "He couldn't give me a reason why I wasn't playing. He said, 'If I could say one thing – never walk (when on the pitch)'." Buffonge recalls how in his first training session with the senior team at the age of 17 or 18 he put the ball through Phil Jones' legs, which sent everyone crazy despite some of the defender's "foul language". The midfielder spoke about the rewards of training with top-class players such as Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though he admits he remained starved of development time through minutes. He remained training with the senior side when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Mourinho in December 2018, but Buffonge admits he knew there was no way back at the club before he went to Bolton on loan, where he suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury. Buffonge left Man Utd - who have actively tried caring for player welfare stars in recent years - in 2019 at the age of 20, joining Italian second-tier side Spezia. Spells with three Dutch teams would follow, but ultimately, after two surgeries in as many years, he decided to call it a day on professional football. He is now focused on creating a platform to 'coach young men on mindset, masculinity, purpose and motivation,' using the lessons he learned at Man Utd and beyond. MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I was a Man Utd academy star – I was told to cut my hair, fined for getting a tattoo and dropped after scoring a penalty
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED star DJ Buffonge could have been another star graduate from the club's academy, like his pal Marcus Rashford. However, the 26-year-old, now without a club, has lifted the lid on the realities of life when trying to forge a path into professional football, both the good and the bad. 2 DJ Buffonge has opened up on his four years in the Man Utd academy Credit: Getty 2 His time there included glowing review from top legends but also harsh reminders of how political football can be Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow In an interview with After five years with Fulham, the midfielder was lured to Man Utd by then Under-18s coach Paul McGuinness, who invited him and his dad out to lunch and gave a glowing review of Buffonge's skillset and potential. On trial ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, he also earned the seal of approval from Class of 92' legends Ryan Giggs and Buffonge explains how the pair gave him some really "encouraging" advice as they broke down what they did and didn't like about his game. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL His start to Man Utd academy life under McGuinness and later However, after McKenna promoted Buffonge to the Under-23 side —following the now-Ipswich boss telling him under-18s football was "too easy" for him — more problems began to surface. Despite then boss, Warren Joyce, having great success by winning the youth league title in six out of eight years he was the manager, Buffonge described the set-up as "like an army camp". Buffonge explains that he didn't get much of a look-in for actual minutes behind the likes of Scott McTominay - then playing as a striker - because it was more focused on "if you can run up and down in training". Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But prior to Joyce leaving to take over at Wigan, Buffonge revealed how the coach had told him he would not be making his debut under Jose Mourinho until the now 17-year-old cut his hair - a comment Joyce does not recall making but admits was in his coaching style. He said: "Warren Joyce would make comments like, 'I'm gonna tell Mourinho you're not gonna make your debut with him until you cut your hair.' I was just thinking, 'I don't understand. 'Better than what we currently have' - Man Utd fans drooling over Wayne Rooney's son Kai's goal for academy team "They're joking around, but I really want to play. I don't see the correlation between my hair and me playing.' In football, there's a lot of banter... but even if it was said as banter, it stuck with me because when you're fighting for your place, everything feels like a signal. "I'm a young kid trying to get minutes, and I'm asking for guidance, and if you're guiding me to cut my hair, that doesn't really make sense... I did cut it a couple of months later — not fully off — but nothing changed from that point.' Joyce does not recall making the comment, but admits his style of coaching means it was the sort of thing he might have said. Later on, Buffonge was fined a week's wages for getting a tattoo on his chest that read: "I was put on this earth to achieve my greatest self, to live out my purpose and to do it courageously." That was despite a rule at the time saying no youth player was allowed to get tattoos. However, his eventual exit from the club was set in motion under Joyce's replacement, Ricky Sbragia in August 2018. Buffonge explained how, in the third game of the season against Southampton, he had won a penalty and, in the heat of the moment, took it ahead of assigned taker Angel Gomes and later caught him a huge "b*********" for his trouble - despite Gomes being okay with it on the pitch. The next game Buffonge was in the stands, which then became a more permanent feature for him after Sbragia made choices in collaboration with senior club staff to drop him. Buffonge said: "That was the moment I started feeling some decisions weren't even about football anymore — it felt political. No one could tell me directly what the issue was." Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Other than the sporadic five-minute cameos, Buffonge often saw his game limited. Yet later on, when having lunch, he was chatted to by first-team boss Mourinho - who had known Buffonge from his days at Fulham with the Portuguese's own son playing for the Cottagers at the same time. Buffonge said: "He came over and said, 'DJ, I want to know why you've not been playing recently. The last game you were doing good. Are you not fit? What's the problem?'. And I told him, 'I honestly don't know.' 'Mourinho said, 'OK, now you're going to come train with us, and I'm gonna tell you the reason why I think you don't play.' I ended up training with them most of the time. "He couldn't give me a reason why I wasn't playing. He said, 'If I could say one thing – never walk (when on the pitch)'." Buffonge recalls how in his first training session with the senior team at the age of 17 or 18 he put the ball through Phil Jones' legs, which sent everyone crazy despite some of the defender's "foul language". The midfielder spoke about the rewards of training with top-class players such as Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though he admits he remained starved of development time through minutes. He remained training with the senior side when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Mourinho in December 2018, but Buffonge admits he knew there was no way back at the club before he went to Bolton on loan, where he suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury. Buffonge left Man Utd - who have actively tried caring for player welfare stars in recent years - in 2019 at the age of 20, joining Italian second-tier side Spezia. Spells with three Dutch teams would follow, but ultimately, after two surgeries in as many years, he decided to call it a day on professional football. He is now focused on creating a platform to 'coach young men on mindset, masculinity, purpose and motivation,' using the lessons he learned at Man Utd and beyond. MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford
