Chris Flanagan

Teddington

Senior Staff Writer at FourFourTwo

Senior staff writer for FourFourTwo, author of the book 'Who Put The Ball In The Munich Net?' (spoiler alert: it was Kevin Davies)

Articles

“I never faced anybody that had what I call ‘disguised power’ as much as him. I saved his free-kicks in training and felt the ball almost forcing my hands open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes | FourFourTwo

1 week ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Chris Flanagan |Ryan Dabbs

When David Beckham called time on his England career in 2009, his 115 caps were the most an outfield player had ever earned, sitting behind only Peter Shilton in the all-time standings. The former Manchester United man’s Three Lions journey began in 1996, when the 21-year-old made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova, two weeks after his stunning halfway line goal against Wimbledon on the opening weekend of the 1996/97 Premier League season.
‘The abuse was disgusting. It was quite amazing how he came through that and became a better footballer. That period could have broken him, no doubt’ Teddy Sheringham on David Beckham’s redemption arc

1 week ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Ryan Dabbs |Chris Flanagan

As the retired David Beckham settles into his national icon years, as evident by his visit to the Chelsea Flower Show where he chinwagged with King Charles, it’s sometimes easy to forget just how dramatic his post-1998 World Cup redemption arc was.
‘I respect Rafa as a coach for giving me my opportunity at Liverpool and what he did for the club, but there’s still a lack of respect as a man - it made me fall out of love with the club’: Ex-Liverpool man makes heartbreaking Istanbul admission | FourFou

1 week ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Chris Flanagan

The ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ in 2005 remains one of the greatest nights in Liverpool’s recent history and it took place exactly 20 years ago today. Rafa Benitez’s shellshocked side found themselves 3-0 down in the Champions League final after Paolo Maldini’s first-minute goal was followed up by a Hernan Crespo brace before the break.
“When he hit it, I thought, ‘You cheeky bastard’. The ball was in the air and I was thinking, ‘The gaffer’s going to kill him’. But it was floating and floating…” Gary Pallister’s reaction to David Beckham’s half-way line goal | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Ryan Dabbs |Chris Flanagan

It didn’t take long for David Beckham and his young Manchester United team-mates to develop the habit of making rivals, opponents and pundits look a tad daft. Beckham and his Class of 92 cohort were the propelling force behind the Red Devils’ 1995/96 Premier League title win, making a mockery of Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen’s infamous ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ gambit at the start of that campaign.
“As captain, he wasn’t the loudest, he didn’t bark at you, but you’d watch him and think, ‘I need to work harder’. His energy against Greece was ridiculous” Emile Heskey on David Beckham’s leadership | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Chris Flanagan |Ryan Dabbs

David Beckham would pull on the captain’s armband 59 times for England, leading the Three Lions at three major tournaments. Only four players - Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Harry Kane and Bryan Robson - have led England’s men side out more times than the former Manchester United man, who was first given the honour by caretaker boss Peter Taylor in a November 2000 friendly against Italy.
'I still love Sheffield United, but I’ve never seen the club score a goal in a play-off final - I hope it’s promotion this time, and my kids don’t have to experience what I did' Billy Sharp exclusive with FourFourTwo | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Sheffield United go into the Championship play-off final against Sunderland as favourites for promotion – but they may have to overcome a curse to reach the Premier League. Not only have the Blades never previously won the play-offs in nine previous campaigns, but they haven’t even scored a goal in the four finals they previously reached.
'The BBC is an amazing institution, but it’s also a complex company. It’s a challenge at times. I think maybe we let ourselves down a bit in terms of cowering to the critics - you’re never going to make them happy anyway. Politically, it’s a difficult pla

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

“The BBC is an amazing institution, but it’s also a complex company,” Gary Lineker told me last month, during an exclusive interview for FourFourTwo. “It’s a challenge at times. I think maybe we let ourselves down a bit in terms of cowering to the critics – you’re never going to make them happy anyway. Politically, it’s a difficult place to work, in some ways.”On Monday, that last sentence was proven once more.
Post-millennium, football’s jukebox of songs has steadily wind down, FourFourTwo revisits the history of the beautiful game's relationship with music

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Ed McCambridge |Chris Flanagan

Among the dozens of framed platinum and gold discs hanging proudly at the home of retired songwriter and producer Geoff Morrow, a surprise choice takes centre stage above his sofa. "I've had hits with Elvis Presley, The Carpenters and Barry Manilow," the former impresario of record label Ammo tells FourFourTwo. "I like to show them off because it's the cheapest way of decorating. But the one I cherish the most? The one that takes precedence above all others?
‘I got invited to a World Cup party at Becks' house - white tie and diamonds was the dress code! I spent most of the time with my lad in the kids’ play tent!’Danny Mills recalls entering the orbit of David Beckham | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Ryan Dabbs |Chris Flanagan

When all was said and done, it was perhaps the defining moment of David Beckham’s career. For 90 minutes, the Manchester United man had been attempting to drag his England team over the line in their final 2002 World Cup qualifier against Greece, with the Three Lions needing a draw to qualify for the following summer’s tournament.
‘It suited him better to play wide, to allow him to do his creative stuff. I don’t think he initially wanted to play there by choice, but his delivery was deadly’: David Beckham’s early Manchester United days recalled by former team-mate | FourFourTwo

3 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Joe Mewis |Ryan Dabbs |Chris Flanagan

David Beckham made the first of his 394 appearances for Manchester United in September 1992 as he began a Red Devils career that would see him win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League with the club. Alongside him for this journey were the likes of Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes in one of the greatest cohorts that English football has ever produced.

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Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

2 May 25

Happy 50th birthday today to David Beckham - in @FourFourTwo's new issue, out now, we spoke to Harry Kane and several former team-mates to hear untold tales from Becks' stellar career, including busting bleep tests, and white-tie-and-diamond parties... https://t.co/WX7CNIQizz https://t.co/s32M9Dn0tl

Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

1 May 25

RT @FourFourTwo: 🚨 NEW ISSUE: The Top 50 Premier League stars 🤩 🇧🇷 Bruno Guimaraes interview ♥️ Miracle of Istanbul 20 years on 👑 Beckham…

Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

3 Apr 25

RT @FourFourTwo: 📸 Our latest cover star is @GaryLineker 🎙️ Read our in-depth interview on the eve of his MOTD departure 🛒 In shops now 📲…

Chris Flanagan

Articles

“I never faced anybody that had what I call ‘disguised power’ as much as him. I saved his free-kicks in training and felt the ball almost forcing my hands open” David Seaman on David Beckham’s hidden attributes | FourFourTwo

‘The abuse was disgusting. It was quite amazing how he came through that and became a better footballer. That period could have broken him, no doubt’ Teddy Sheringham on David Beckham’s redemption arc

‘I respect Rafa as a coach for giving me my opportunity at Liverpool and what he did for the club, but there’s still a lack of respect as a man - it made me fall out of love with the club’: Ex-Liverpool man makes heartbreaking Istanbul admission | FourFou

“When he hit it, I thought, ‘You cheeky bastard’. The ball was in the air and I was thinking, ‘The gaffer’s going to kill him’. But it was floating and floating…” Gary Pallister’s reaction to David Beckham’s half-way line goal | FourFourTwo

“As captain, he wasn’t the loudest, he didn’t bark at you, but you’d watch him and think, ‘I need to work harder’. His energy against Greece was ridiculous” Emile Heskey on David Beckham’s leadership | FourFourTwo

'I still love Sheffield United, but I’ve never seen the club score a goal in a play-off final - I hope it’s promotion this time, and my kids don’t have to experience what I did' Billy Sharp exclusive with FourFourTwo | FourFourTwo

'The BBC is an amazing institution, but it’s also a complex company. It’s a challenge at times. I think maybe we let ourselves down a bit in terms of cowering to the critics - you’re never going to make them happy anyway. Politically, it’s a difficult pla

Post-millennium, football’s jukebox of songs has steadily wind down, FourFourTwo revisits the history of the beautiful game's relationship with music

‘I got invited to a World Cup party at Becks' house - white tie and diamonds was the dress code! I spent most of the time with my lad in the kids’ play tent!’Danny Mills recalls entering the orbit of David Beckham | FourFourTwo

‘It suited him better to play wide, to allow him to do his creative stuff. I don’t think he initially wanted to play there by choice, but his delivery was deadly’: David Beckham’s early Manchester United days recalled by former team-mate | FourFourTwo

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