1. downloaded from podcastsinenglish.com
transcript level 2
Try not to look at this until you’ve done all the exercises that go with the listening.
Beckham steps down
Beckham: Um… before I begin…um… I’d just like to… say that I’ve got a brief
statement that …er… I’d like to read out and if you’d …er… like to
leave it at that for me …um… I’d be very happy. If you bear with me
because I wrote this …um… late last night and …er um…
On November 15, 2000 Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of
my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my
childhood dream. Now, almost six years later, having been captain
for 58 of my 95 caps I feel the time is right to pass on the armband
as we enter in a new era under Steve McClaren.
It has been an honour and privilege to have captained our country
and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and
look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in
any way I can.
I came to this decision sometime ago but I’d hoped to announce it on
the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly, that wasn’t mean… that
wasn’t to be. This decision has been… has been the most difficult of
my career to date but after discussing it with my family and those
closest to me I feel it is… the time is right.
Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to
progress further and both myself and all the other players regret that
and are hurt …and are hurt by that more than people realise.
I wish to thank all the players …er… for their support …ah… during
my time as captain as well Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches. I
would also like to thank the press and of course the England
supporters who have been both great to me and my team mates and I
want them to know from me it has been an absolute honour.
Finally, I have lived the dream, I’ve… I am extremely proud to have
worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will
always be grateful.
Thank you very much.
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