On this day: Born May 2, 1975: David Beckham, English footballer

FILE PHOTO: Born on May 2, 1975: David Beckham, English footballer England's David Beckham scores from a free kick to equalise against Greece in their World Cup Group Nine qualifying match at Old Trafford, Manchester October 6, 2001. REUTERS/Darren Staples/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - When an 11-year-old David Beckham walked into a local newspaper office in east London with his mother in 1986 the trainee reporter summoned to reception could never have known he was about to meet a future international football and cultural icon.

Speaking in barely a whisper, the blonde-haired schoolboy, prompted by mum Sandra, said he had won the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools skills competition and a trip to train with Barcelona, then managed by Terry Venables.