Main content
This episode will be available soon

By the mid 1990s, the Premier League is growing in stature and a new generation of players are learning to navigate their newfound celebrity status.

With a moment of audacious brilliance, David Beckham elevates himself into the national consciousness. His legendary 60-yard wonder goal from the half-way line against Wimbledon becomes the moment that changes his life.

In this episode we explore the rise of the celebrity footballer, symbolised by Beckham in the mid ‘90s. He’s part of a much-feted new breed of footballers who are starting to resemble rock stars more than sportsmen. When Beckham starts a relationship with ‘Posh Spice’ Victoria Adams, the pair are catapulted onto the pages of every gossip column.

But for every David Beckham there has to be a casualty who isn’t quite so fortunate.

Keith Gillespie was once dubbed ‘the new George Best’ and yet his journey through the 90s couldn’t be more divergent from that of David Beckham. The pair had been friends and were both members of United’s so-called Class of 92 who went on to form the backbone of their success through the next decade

After a whirlwind start at Manchester United, Gillespie was deemed surplus to requirements and off-loaded to title rivals Newcastle United. While there was no drop in his form, the loneliness of living in a strange town away from the Man United youth team players he’d grown up with, led Gillespie to seek solace in the local bookmakers. In another era Gillespie may have been able to ask for help but his gambling habit went from bad to worse before he was inevitably “outed’ by a tabloid newspaper.

On the pitch, Gillespie and Beckham each have their sights set on their first Premier League winners medal. The 1995/96 season concludes with a dramatic showdown – either Newcastle or Manchester United side will be crowned champions on the final day.

55 minutes

Last on

Wed 9 Oct 2024 12:00

Music Played

  • Primal Scream, Andrew Innes

    Jailbird

  • The Cure

    Just Like Heaven

  • Elastica

    Connection

  • Blur

    Song 2

  • New Order

    Blue Monday

  • The Lightning Seeds

    The Life Of Riley

  • M-People, M People

    Moving On Up

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest David Beckham
Interviewed Guest Gary Neville
Interviewed Guest Martin Hardy
Interviewed Guest David James
Production Manager Rita Cabral
Series Producer Adam Hopkins
Executive Producer Peter Beard
Executive Producer David Nath

Broadcasts

  • Mon 20 Sep 2021 21:00
  • Fri 24 Sep 2021 23:05
  • Fri 8 Oct 2021 00:00
  • Wed 12 Jun 2024 23:20
  • Wed 2 Oct 2024 18:35
  • Thu 3 Oct 2024 12:00
  • Fri 4 Oct 2024 08:30
  • Sun 6 Oct 2024 13:30
  • Mon 7 Oct 2024 23:30
  • Tue 8 Oct 2024 21:05
  • Wed 9 Oct 2024 12:00

Discover more about the Premier League and watch The Open University’s exclusive interviews

Visit The Open University website.