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29 March 2024

Megastar Beckham set for surprise Aussie visit

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (top) playing in an MLS match. (AP)

Published
By AFP
Football megastar David Beckham will play a one-off exhibition match with LA Galaxy against Australia’s Newcastle Jets next month in a major coup for the club, officials said on Wednesday.
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, one of the world’s top-earning sportsmen, will headline the November 27 fixture at the Jets’ modest 26,000-capacity stadium north of Sydney.
“This is fantastic news for football fans and for tourism in the Hunter (Valley),” said the region’s state MP, Jodi McKay.
“The phenomenal global interest in David Beckham, World Cup hero Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy team means Newcastle and the Jets will be in the spotlight for sports enthusiasts from around the world.”
The ambitious bid was revealed on Tuesday, just days after the former A-League champions were rescued from financial ruin by youthful coal tycoon Nathan Tinkler.
Newcastle, which boasts the world’s biggest coal port, also lies in the scenic Hunter Valley region known for its wineries.
Beckham, 35, appeared in front of a sell-out 80,000 crowd at Sydney’s former Olympic stadium in 2007, but reported plans for a second visit in 2008 were axed after he joined AC Milan on temporary loan.
The Newcastle Herald said Beckham would be the biggest player to visit the coal town since 1967, when Bobby Charlton and George Best played for Manchester United against Northern NSW at No.1 Sportsground.
LA Galaxy’s four-day visit is seen as a boost for Australia’s embattled A-League, whose poor attendances have hit club finances, and also for the country’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
“We want to show the world we are ready to host the World Cup in 2022 and securing major events such as this exclusive match for New South Wales puts us in a strong position during the bid process,” said state premier Kristina Keneally.
This month the Jets were bailed out by Tinkler, 34, after running out of money to pay players and fees for their stadium, which they share with the local rugby league team.
In September, Wellington Phoenix avoided liquidation after an 11th-hour rescue, and governing body Football Federation Australia has been forced to prop up North Queensland Fury and Adelaide United.
Gold Coast United, the Jets’ closest neighbours, have played for crowds of just 2,000 this season while plans for a new club in western Sydney are under a cloud.