25 years ago this week, David Beckham scored an incredible goal against Doncaster Rovers

He’s now known as one of the world’s most famous footballers, but 25 years ago this week, David Beckham scored a goal against Doncaster Rovers that helped set him on the road to success.
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25 years ago this week on March 4, Beckham made his Preston North End debut while on loan from Manchester United.

And on that 1995 at Deepdale, the home of the Lancashire club, the opponents were Doncaster Rovers.

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He had joined Preston as a 19-year-old with just one appearance for United under his belt.

His debut came on March 4, 1995, Beckham having been named on the bench for the Third Division clash.

Doncaster went in at the break one-nil up, Gary Brabin’s ball down the left beating the offside trap, allowing winger Sean Parrish plenty of time and space to measure his cross and Graeme Jones made no mistake with a header from six yards.

Meanwhile, a teenage Beckham was introduced to the action at the start of the second half replacing Graham Lancashire and went on to find the net, scoring direct from a corner after Simon Davey had drawn the hosts level.

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The goal swung straight in, leaving Rovers’ ‘keeper Perry Suckling dumbfounded.

A young David Beckham in action against Doncaster Rovers in 1995.A young David Beckham in action against Doncaster Rovers in 1995.
A young David Beckham in action against Doncaster Rovers in 1995.

But in front of a crowd of 9,624, the game finished 2-2, Russ Wilcox levelling things up for Sammy Chung's side.

The following week in a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Deepdale, Beckham was in from the start and scored what became a trademark free-kick, curling it round the wall to find the net.

Beckham went on to feature in a 5-0 win over Bury, a 1-0 victory at Exeter City and a 1-1 draw with Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.

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Although North End had hoped to keep him for the rest of the season, United recalled Beckham after a month.

David Beckham scored directly from a corner against Doncaster Rovers.David Beckham scored directly from a corner against Doncaster Rovers.
David Beckham scored directly from a corner against Doncaster Rovers.

The rest is history, Beckham going on to star for United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Millan and Paris St Germain.

He won 115 England caps, captaining his country 59 times.

Beckham, 44, is now the owner of Inter Miami who made their MLS debut last Sunday.

Doncaster Rovers line-up: Suckling, Kirby, Hackett, Brabin, Wilcox, Swailes, Harper, Schofield, Jones, Norbury, Parrish.