BECKS is back!

David Beckham returns to his East London roots to mentor a struggling team of young footballers

-  JAN MACEWAN

NEW REALITY Save Our Squad with David Beckham From Wednesday 9 November, Disney+

Long before he found fame and fortune as a star player for Manchester United, England, and Real Madrid, the young David Beckham cut his footballing teeth in the Echo Junior League with Ridgeway Rovers.

Now the 47-year-old is returning to his East London roots to mentor a group of young players competing in the same league – the under-14 Westward Boys team, who are at the bottom of the table without a single win all season.

In the Disney+ four-parter Save Our Squad, Beckham passes on advice about his life on and off the pitch and spends time with the coaches and parents who sacrifice so much for the boys and the club.

Can Becks help lift the team off the bottom of the league, and could there be a future Galactico in their midst? We caught up with him for a prematch team talk…

What has it been like being a part of this project?

It has been so rewarding, and I’ve really enjoyed being around the boys, parents and coaches. It takes me back to my youth, when I used to play in the same league, and where it all began for me.

What’s your history with the league the boys play in?

It started when I was seven, playing football in the park, and wanting to play for a Sunday league team. I joined Ridgeway Rovers in the Echo League, and we ended up being pretty successful and winning the title a few times.

How challenging was it dealing with a group of boisterous youngsters?