KING DAVID TAKES HIS FINAL BOW

May 2013 marked the end of yet another Football season across Europe. There were many triumphs, trophies and tears as 2012/13 delivered up some of the best Football we've ever seen. 2012/13 was also a landmark year for Three Former Manchester United greats, as it marked retirement for all three. The First being Michael Owen, The second Sir Alex Ferguson and the third being David Beckham. Inside the Box has already covered the Legacy of both Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen, so now as another United Legend makes his final curtain call, we pay our respects to one of United's most famous Right Wingers, David Beckham. Instead of chronicling his entire 20 year career, Inside the Box will instead look at the Top 5 moments which shaped the career of Becks.


5) FRANCE 98 (THE BIRTH OF THE FREE KICK KING)

David Beckham's career was building a lot of momentum in the Summer of 1998. Having been United's  undisputed starting Right Winger for the previous 2 years, he had gained a reputation for finding the back of the net as well as finding his teammates with his inch perfect crosses. At just 23 years of age, the 1998 World Cup in France was Beckham's first International tournament. However Glenn Hoddle (England's manager at the time) didn't feel Beckham was up to the task early on in the competition, and he missed England's opening game against Tunisia because of this. Hoddle would later remark he left Beckham out of the opening game because he felt "Beckham's head wasn't in the competition". Having impressed in England's second match against Romania (a match England would lose), the task for England's final match was to win against Colombia. England did this with an emphatic 2-0 victory, a game which saw Beckham net his first goal for England from a trademark Free Kick. Not only was this crucial for England, but it was a crucial goal for Beckham at that point in his career. And it was the beginning of many a trademark free kicks which would be the hallmark of David Beckham's 20 year career.



4) A MOMENT OF MADNESS (THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING)

Four days later, and England were pitted against arch rivals Argentina in the Round of 16 knockout match. England v Argentina will always deliver when it comes to a great game of Soccer, it is one of the most famous and revered rivalries in World Football, and one only has to look at the World Cups in 1966 and 1986 to see what I mean. 1998 was no different as this knockout match had all the makings of a great match. In the first half it was end to end stuff, with not a dull moment. All of England's and Argentina's goals were scored in the first half. A Penalty from Gabriel Batistuta, a Penalty for Alan Shearer, a Wonder goal from Michael Owen and a Clever set piece Free kick which was finished by Javier Zanetti. Less than three minutes had passed in the second half before England were a man down, and the man who was given his marching orders was Beckham. After being fouled late by Argentine Midfielder Diego Simeone, David Beckham (possibly in a moment of madness) lashed out and kicked Simeone right in front of Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen. Without a moment's hesitation, Nielsen reached for his back pocket and gave Beckham his marching orders. Beckham was not the only one to see Red that day, nearly the entire nation (England) were livid that Beckham would do something so careless as to reduce England to 10 men. Nevertheless England hung on for the next 74 minutes and took Argentina to Penalty shootouts. If you know anything about Football History, you'll know that England and Penalty Shootouts are a recipe for disaster. This game was no exception as Argentina walked away victorious from a memorable and enthralling match of Football. Dark days were to follow for Beckham though, as this incident caused him to become public enemy number one among British football fans and the British public in general. Negative Newspaper articles and Burning effigies were just some of the things Beckham had to endure in the aftermath of that World Cup in France. While those acts were disgraceful, it was no doubt a learning curve for Beckham, and  it ultimately shaped him to be the player and man that he is today.

3) THAT FREE KICK

On October 6 2001, England played there final World Cup Qualifying match against Greece at Old Trafford. This game was crucial as the result would determine whether or not England would gain automatic qualification to the 2002 World Cup. After a tough 90 minutes of play, England were trailing the Greeks 2 goals to 1 before Teddy Sheringham was fouled 28 yards out from goal. After a bit of a discussion, Beckham dutifully assumed the task of taking the all important Free Kick. If it went in, England would draw the game 2-2 and possibly secure a First Place finish in there qualifying group, if they lost, they would have to go to a Play off match in November. After a few seconds of deliberation, Beckham strode up to the ball and slotted it in to the back of the net (with a little help from the crossbar on the way in). Old Trafford went wild and Beckham had scored another memorable Free Kick to add to his stunning collection. The goal also meant England qualified top of there group ahead of arch European rivals Germany.

2) ONE NIGHT IN MUNICH

May 26, 1999 is a day almost every Football fan will remember. It's a historic date where you ask people where they were for that fateful game. And I know where I was, I was watching this historic match unfold live on SBS TV at 5:30am in the morning. In one of the Greatest comebacks or Great Escapes of World Football, Manchester United turned a 1 nil deficit around, which they had been enduring for 83 minutes, to secure the UEFA Champions League trophy and Treble of 1999. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham scored those famouls goals in the dying minutes of the match to gift United a famous treble, though David Beckham had a hand in both goals. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's equalizer came from an inch perfect Beckham corner and ,almost 2 minutes later, Beckham was involved in another goal as his corner found Ryan Giggs, whose shot found Teddy Sheringham which found the back of the net. A Historic day of Football was complete as United walked away from Barcelona that night with the most coveted prize in European Club Football. This was truly Man United's year, and if you ever want to catch a glimpse of David Beckham in his prime, this is the match to watch.


1) A 45 YARD STUNNER
















On the opening day of the 1996/97 Premier League season Manchester United played Wimbledon in a game which ended 3 nil to United. But the moment which captured headlines that day was a 45 yard stunner goal from a then 21 year old David Beckham. Having received a pass from the halfway line, Beckham glanced up only to notice Scottish Goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was way off his line. In a moment of brilliance (or perhaps spontaneity) Beckham launched the ball skyward towards goal as Sullivan scrambled back to his goal in vain. The ball went over his head and in to the back of the net and the rest they say is history. The 21 year old youngster from Leytonstone had arrived on the big stage and from that day forth, no one could forget the name David Beckham.

Written by Alex Stilianos.

Melbourne Victory signed jersey competition - WINNER !!!!

Well our first of many competition's wrapped up last week, with the winner of our signed Melbourne Victory jersey going to the one and only Ross Hamilton of Lyndhurst Victoria. Its an added bonus that Ross is a huge VICTORY fan and he has assured us the jersey will be framed and mounted on his  wall next to his framed CELTIC jersey. Congratulations Ross you are one lucky Victory fan.

FERGIE'S LEGACY FAR FROM FLEDGLING

"Fergie's Fledglings" was the term given to Sir Alex Ferguson's new crop of young players in the Mid 1990's. It was a term first coined by the media after they believed that a group of inexperienced youngsters could never win anything for the Red Devils. The likes of which included David Beckham, Gary and Phillip Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt. But after successive back to back titles and many other honours (FA Cups and a Champions League trophy), the critics were soon silenced. The success was down to one man, Sir Alex Ferguson, and his unwavering coaching style. Sir Alex proved that a big budget was not always the formula for success, in an era now where money really does talk. However Sir Alex did make some expensive purchases during his time, some were questionable, but for the most part they were what propelled Manchester United in to the stratosphere of European Football. Here is a look at some of the most Crucial Signings made by the man they called Sir Alex.


DWIGHT YORKE:
       
  
       


















There was much fanfare and excitement in August of 1998 when Ferguson paid a whopping £12.6 Million for then Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke. Then Aston Villa manager John Gregory was famously quoted as saying he would "Shoot Dwight Yorke" after the Trinidadian told him he wanted to leave Villa. After a bit of speculation from Football fans, Yorke soon proved his worth as, a year later, he was lifting the Treble along with his United teammates. Yorke also formed one of the deadliest Strike partnerships in Europe with Andy Cole. There impressive goalscoring tallies, coupled with there knack for terrorizing defenses, proved to be a headache for any opposing manager. Although Yorke left the club only 4 years later (2002), he left behind a legacy which will never be forgotten. Not least in the Stretford End.


ANDY COLE:























Between 1993 and 1995 there was no one in English Football who was more consistent than Andy Cole. While at Newcastle United, he scored an impressive 55 goals in 70 matches for the Magpies. So loved was he at the club, that a Newcastle fan even got an image of Cole (donned in a Newcastle Jersey) tattooed on his upper thigh. Only months later, Cole was soon transferred to United. I'm guessing that particular Newcastle fan was none too pleased. At the time of his arrival, there was only one Centre Forward needed at Old Trafford, and his name was Eric Cantona or King Eric (depending on who you talk to). This soon changed as Cole proved to be just as lethal as his French counterpart. When the Frenchman (Cantona) was banned from the game for 9 months (only 2 weeks after Cole arrived at the club), Andy Cole was given the massive responsibility of being United's main man up front. He did all of this and more, so much so that by the time Cantona had returned from his suspension in October 1995, United fans were already used to Cole being the number one man. Between 1995 and 2001 (Arguably United's most succesful period) Andy Cole won everything there was to win at Club Level. But more importantly he won the hearts of all United fans. Something which is not easily done.


PETER SCHMEICHEL:

Peter Schmeichel aka "The Great Dane", arrived at Old Trafford in 1991 to replace the outgoing Les Sealy as United's Goalkeeper. The 6 foot 3 Dane was a towering figure in goals and this fierceness was matched by his constant sprays he would dish out to his players. A No nonsense sort of Goalkeeper, he also scored goals on a few occassions. Before arriving at United he had already racked up 8 goals in his native Denmark, usually from the Penalty spot. Schmeichel's time at Old Trafford saw him pick up nearly every piece of Silverward imaginable and he left the club on a high in 1999 on the back of a Treble winning season. Since his departure, there hasn't been any Goalkeeper at United who could fill his shoes. Not even the Great Dutchman Edwin Van Der Sar.


 RUUD VAN NISTLEROOY:

















 



Ruud Van Nistlerooy's purchase in the Summer of 2001 (for a fee of £19 million) was the biggest buy in the Premier League that Summer. The Dutchman arrived in England on the back of a phenomenal stint at PSV Eindhoven, where he netted 62 goals in 67 matches. Although United failed to clinch the title during his first season at the club, the title eventually followed in 2003-04 as did Van Nistlerooy's goalscoring exploits. Although some football analysts will lament of Van Nistlerooy's penchant for tap in goals, he was always in the right place at the right time (The sign of a quality Striker). And although he didn't win as many honours with United as his earlier counterparts, he still remains a legend at Old Trafford.

CRISTIANO RONALDO:

 













No one had even heard of the 18 year old when Sir Alex purchased him from Sporting Lisbon in the Summer of 2003. With the Veteran David Beckham leaving his post at the club after 8 years, Ronaldo had some pretty big shoes to fill. Nevertheless, Fergie put all his cards out on the table and brought the Portuguese Midfielder to the Big Leagues with the belief that he would fill the void left behind by Beckham. Ronaldo did all of that and more. His sublime runs down the pitch, fancy step overs and lethal shots were the hallmark of a great player in the making. His honours with the club are impressive but his individual honours are unprecedented. This has been both a blessing and a curse for the 28 year old Portguese playmaker, as many believe his selfishness has gotten the better of him on the field. One cannot deny his talent, as he is second only to Messi as the World's greatest player, although some may argue the opposite. Whichever way you look at it, The 6 years Ronaldo spent at United were some of the best years the club has ever seen.


ERIC CANTONA (KING ERIC):

Eric Cantona joined United in 1992 already a Champion. That previous Summer he was part of the Leeds United team that lifted the Premiership (the last title under the old First Division name). Cantona didn't disappoint and within months was beginning to show his form. In his first season with United, the Red Devils managed to win the newly created "English Premier League" trophy. Some of his goals during his time at United were top draw stuff, goals that would make Matt Le Tissier stand up and cheer. But wherever controversy was, Cantona was not too far away. In January 1995, the Frenchman received a 9 month ban from Football after he lunged out at a Crystal Palace fan with a Fly Kick. Upon his return to the game later that year, Cantona was back to his old goalscoring ways and it was almost like he'd never left. After calling it quits in 1997 at the age of just 31, Cantona had left behind a legacy at Old Trafford that few players have equalled. Although some fans lament that the Frenchman quit too soon, his 5 year stint at the club is the stuff legends are made of. To date, there has never been another player quite like him to walk on to an English Premier League pitch.


Written by Alex Stilianos.       

          

                                                            

CAN YOU HEAR THE DOLDRUMS FERNANDO.

There is a lot of Transfer speculation swirling around as another English Premier League season draws to a close. The questions on everyone's lips is Will Gareth Bale stay at Spurs? Will Mourinho return to Chelsea? and so forth. Amidst all these speculative questions is one almost certainty, who will Chelsea poach over the Summer as there new striker. In January 2011 Fernando Torres was seemingly the purchase of the year for The Blues. Having shown impressive form with both Liverpool and the Spanish national team, it looked as though Torres would take the mantle from Didier Drogba as Chelsea's main striker. Nearly 2 and a half years later, the form that has alluded the 29 year old Spaniard since his transfer is still there. Although Torres scored crucial goals in both the 2012 UEFA Champions League Semi Final and the EURO 2012 Final, his domestic goalscoring record is woeful. Personally I would love nothing more than to see Torres don the Blue Jersey for another season with Chelsea, although as the season draws to a close this looks unlikely. Summer is traditionally the time when European Clubs go shopping for big name players, and as Chelsea have been out of the Top 4 since season's end of 2010-11, this would be high time for a reshuffle.

American Digital Sports media outlet "The Bleacher Report" ran an article of 5 potential strikers who could replace the Spaniard next season. The list includes Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski, Zenit St.Petersburg's Hulk, Athletico Madrid's star man Radamel Falcao, Napoli's Edinson Cavani and West Bromwich Albion's main man Romelu Lukaku. In an age where Clubs are quick to fire there managers or sell off there players, the pressure to maintain good form has become increasingly difficult for the Modern day Footballer. I hope for Torres' sake, Chelsea stand by there man (No Tammy Wynette reference intended) and look at things in the grand scheme of things. This is a player who has won nearly every major tournament there is to win, A European Championship, A World Cup and a European Champions League final. He's the type of player who, when the chips are down, he'll score that crucial goal. This is evident from his performance in the Euro 2008 Final, The 2012 UEFA Champions League Final and Euro 2012. It's also worth mentioning that, in the last 8 years, Chelsea have been through more managers than any other European Club. So as the season's draw to a close across Europe and the Bank Cheques come out, will Torres make the cut or be cut? Only time will tell.


Written by Alex Stilianos.

InsidetheboxFC's Melbourne Victory jersey competition

In case you missed it, we are running a fantastic competition for all Melbourne Victory fans or general kit collectors across Australia. Until next Thursday ( the 9th of May ) a lucky punter will win a signed 2012/2013 Melbourne Victory home jersey which is autographed by the entire squad. All you have to  do is retweet and follow us on our twitter page to go into the draw.

We will draw the lucky winner next Thursday afternoon, good luck everyone.

Leoandro - The missing link for Spurs?.

Tottenham Hotspur are apparently the favourites to sign the latest Brazilian superstar Leandro Damiao.    As of today word has hit the press that the president of Leandro's current club Internacional has come out and said that Leoandro will leave for Europe next season and Spurs are the favourites to land his signature.  For the past three Premier League seasons Spurs have been pushing to be a permanent top four side but have falling short due to big players in key areas. One of these areas has of course been up front,. Jermaine Defoe is a good player but no longer world class, Adebayor has massive potential but he is careless and is only worried about his paycheque.

If Spurs win the race for Leoandro then he could be the final piece of the puzzle that Spurs really need to qualify for Champions League. He's known in Brazil for his electrifying pace and finishing and the other key factor is he is very strong minded which will become handy for him to adjust to life in England and the Premier League. English fans might recognise him from the London olympics where he was the star of the Brazilian side in which he took out the golden boot award scoring 6 goals in 5 games.

Its unfair to label Leoandro as Spurs potential savour but with the current strikers failing to deliver it will be a natural thing for fans to do. Weather they win the race for him or not, Andre Villas Boas will need to purchase more strikers because they can no longer challenge for Champions League with two strikers in the squad.