Old Trafford. San Siro. Bernabeu. Parc des Princes. The name Beckham has graced some of the most famous stadiums in world football.
Now there is a new ground to add to the list – Park View Road, Welling.
The home of ninth-tier side Erith & Belvedere is where Romeo Beckham, son of former England captain David, made his debut for Brentford B in a London Senior Cup match on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old, who has joined on loan from Inter Miami II until the end of the season, came on as a second-half substitute with the Bees trailing 2-1, before a late comeback brought a 3-2 win.
The Beckham effect certainly had an impact off the pitch too, with a club record 554 fans making an appearance on a cold, soggy evening in south east London.
Watching on among that crowd, hidden under the hood of a black raincoat, was father David, who saw his son continue the Beckham tradition by putting in a dangerous cross from the right wing – a moment the admin of the Erith & Belvedere FC Twitter account was not going to miss.
Romeo also showed he could bend it like Beckham with a couple of late corners as well as hitting the bar with a header – though he was flagged offside.
By this point Beckham senior’s presence had been spotted, with a growing crowd of fans making a beeline for the 47-year-old to try to get a selfie.
Welling United, who share the ground with Erith & Belvedere, were equally delighted to have such a famous star watching on and tweeted an image of a smiling Beckham.
But with the crowd building, Beckham opted to make an unconventional exit by leaping over a fence and scrambling through some bushes, before demonstrating a turn of pace not seen since his playing days with a dash across a rain-sodden field.
Speaking about Romeo Beckham’s impact, Brentford B boss Neil MacFarlane said: “Romeo really drove us forward in the wing-back position. He created some really good moments for us with some terrific deliveries.
“He had an opportunity to score as well and I was thrilled with him and the group in general for keeping on the front foot. We never gave up and we got through.”
