Manchester United legend David Beckham was snubbed as a child for 'deplorable' reasons and forced on a 'disgusting' diet

David Beckham ended his international career in 2009 as England captain and record holder of the Three Lions.

Until 2016, the Manchester United The legend held the record for most caps as an England outfield player, with 115 appearances, before being surpassed by Wayne Rooney.

But incredibly, 'Ballon d'Or's' were overlooked to play England's college team due to his small stature.

It was a fear that his father Ted had, despite the real Madrid Icon who has gone almost 100 games unbeaten with local east London club Ridgeway Rovers.

Speaking in the Beckham documentary on Netflix, Ted admitted: “He'd won 92 games without being beaten, he was that good.”

“I was a little worried about his size, so we started giving him Guinness and a raw egg. To be fair to the boy, he did this every week.”

Snubbed by the England Schoolboys, Beckham instead competed for the Essex Schoolboys, where he played in Anfieldwhere he even got an assist from an iconic free kick.

Speaking in the 90s about Beckham's omission in images Recounting Beckham's rise, Essex boss Martin Heather explained: “David attended every trial and regional and did exceptionally well.

“He then went to the first residential trial in Nottingham but the England selectors told me they were only sending him because he had done well but that he would never become an England player because he was too small.

“We often say that playing for England Schoolboys is a kiss of death, but I think the reasons he wasn't selected were deplorable at the time.”

Asked what Beckham needed to be a schoolboy back then, Heather joked: “Well, I think in those days you needed to have sideburns, two kids and a car.”

Beckham, who later played for local club Brimsdown Rovers, signed United's school terms on his 14th birthday.

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And his former assistant manager at Ridgeway Rovers, Steve Kirby, echoed Ted's statement about the “disgusting” diet the midfielder followed at United in an attempt to bulk up.

In the same video featuring Heather, Kirby recalled: “I remember she came back from United one summer.

“He came back and said, 'Oh, I've been put on a diet, this, that and the other, and I'm going to have to drink Guinness with a raw egg in it.'

“It was disgusting, but I said, 'That sounds great, everything will be fine, Dave, you'll be six feet tall soon!'”

Beckham's former United and England team-mate Gary Neville then came forward, saying: “When he came to the club he was 98cm tall, with spiky blonde hair.

“And all of a sudden, at 16/17, it just took off.”

It was then Beckham's turn to explain his growth, with the fresh-faced player saying: “I don't know if it's the air up here, the mushy peas, the gravy or whatever, it's something.

“Because I never liked jellied eels there (in London)!”

Part of United's famous Class of '92 that included Gary Neville and his brother Phil, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Beckham made his first-team debut in September 1992.

He remained at Old Trafford until 2003, having scored 85 goals in 394 appearances, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.

He subsequently played for Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.

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