Sports ACADEMY

The magnificent sevens

CHRISTOPHER LEA

Numbers on the backs of shirts were first used in 1928 when the players wore numbers one to 11 on their shirts. It wasn't until 1993 that the Football Association (FA) abandoned the use of one to 11 for the starting line-up, and although players now are allowed to change their numbers in between seasons, a lot of them don't and so they become identified with a particular number.

There is no shortage of brilliant players in Manchester United's history, many of whom didn't wear the number seven: Charlton, Law, Giggs and Rooney, to name but a few. However, there is an enduring mythical quality about the number and some of the club's greatest names have been attached to it.

First seven

Teammate Pat Crerand said that George Best had "twisted blood"; Pele called him the greatest player in the world. He was named the Fifth Beatle and was the first true superstar of football. He joined United at 17, and by 26 had packed in the game. He won two League Championship medals, a European Cup Winners winner's medal, was voted European Footballer of the Year, and was United's top goal scorer five times. He died on Nov 25, 2005, at the age of 59, and is fondly remembered as a genius and a United legend. He was the player who started the legend of the number seven shirt.

United's longest-serving captain, Bryan Robson, moved to United from West Bromwich Albion in October 1981 for a then record 1.5 million (86.8 million baht). Robson earned 90 caps for England and captained United to three FA Cup wins - the only player in the 20th century to do so - plus a European Cup Winners winner's cup and two Premiership titles. Robson became a huge figure at Old Trafford due to his incredible work rate and inspirational presence. He always gave 110 percent, whether in England's white shirt or the red of United.

Famous faces

Controversial, charismatic, inspirational "King Eric" left United over 11 years ago, but his name is still chanted by the Stretford End to this day. When Cantona joined United in Nov 1992, United were limping through another lacklustre season. He settled immediately into the team, scoring goals and creating goals for others. The fans loved him, and he brought the team together; he was the inspiration that drove United to the inaugural Premiership title the following year in 1993. His influence on the emerging talents of Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, Butt and Gary Neville was immeasurable. In 2001, he was voted Manchester United Player of the Century.

One of the most famous faces on the planet, David Beckham was an integral part of the 1999 Treble winning team. He became part of the United set-up at an early age, signing schoolboy forms on his 14th birthday. When Cantona left in May 1997, Beckham gave incoming player Teddy Sheringham his number 10 shirt and took the number seven for himself. In 2003, following a number of highly publicised spats with Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham left United to join Real Madrid. Club captain Raol wore the number seven, so Beckham took the number 23 jersey in honour of basketball player Michael Jordan.

Today

When Cristiano Ronaldo joined United in 2003, he asked for the number 28 shirt, afraid of the burden of expectation that came with the number seven. However, Ferguson declined, saying, "No, you're going to have number seven." Since then, he has gone on to amaze spectators around the world with his skills and goal-scoring ability, winning numerous Player of the Year awards. The 2007-2008 season saw Ronaldo score 42 goals in all competitions and score the opening goal in United's defeat of Chelsea in the Champion's League final. Despite recent media speculation of a move to Real Madrid, Ronaldo remains United's current number seven.

QUESTIONS True or false?

1. Bobby Charlton wore the number seven shirt.

2. The first player to wear the number seven jersey was George Best.

3. Bryan Robson started playing for Manchester United in 1981.

4. Manchester United won the first ever Premiership title.

5. David Beckham took over the number seven shirt from Teddy Sheringham.

Understanding the story

1. What was Bryan Robson's unique FA Cup achievement?

2. Who was the inspiration for many of United's younger players?

3. Which number sevens have been members of European Cup or Champions League winning teams?

4. Why did David Beckham take the number 23 jersey when he moved to Real Madrid?

5. Which player did not want to take the number seven shirt?

Vocabulary

Match the adjectives in bold in the story with the meanings below.

1. Initial; the first

2. Dull, lacking liveliness or enthusiasm.

3. Having a special quality, gift or power that can influence others.

4. Being able to inspire others.

5. Unproved; legendary belief.

6. Necessary to the completeness of the whole

7. Unable to be measured; vast.

What do you think?

Who do you think is the greatest ever Manchester United number seven?

ANSWERS True or false?

1. False

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. False

Understanding the story

1. He was the only captain to win the FA Cup three times in the 20th century.

2. Eric Cantona

3. George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo

4. Because the number seven was already taken, he took the number 23 in honour of Michael Jordan.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

Vocabulary

1. Inaugural

2. Lacklustre

3. Charismatic

4. Inspirational

5. Mythical

6. Integral

7. Immeasurable

The British Council connects people with learning opportunities and builds cultural relationships between the UK and other countries. Visit http://www.britishcouncil.or.th .

---

Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next