Sponsors are threatening to pull out of deals with the FA unless they receive guarantees that David Beckham will stay as England captain. (The Sun) </p> Beckham can stay captain , but surely his time as 1st choice is numbered.</p>
full story Keep Beckham skipper or else! By CHARLIE WYETT SPONSORS are refusing to meet the FA’s £12million-a-year asking price for backing England — until they know if David Beckham is staying as captain. The FA hoped to tie up a £50m four-year deal with one sponsor but may have to lower their sights. Backers are keeping their money in their pockets thanks to Wembley’s opening being delayed until next year, an unattractive fixture list in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and doubts over whether Sven Goran Eriksson’s successor will keep Becks as national skipper. SunSport revealed a fortnight ago how prospective backers wanted to know if Beckham would keep the armband before parting with their cash. Interestingly, all the promotional material being used by the FA to try to lure a big sponsor prominently features the Real Madrid star, 30. England’s new boss will be under enormous pressure to keep Becks in the job because he makes a massive difference to the FA’s coffers.
beckham's always first choice , also he should be allowed to decide when to give up the captaincy not anyone else he is 'england' my hero ....(england) (england)
Which is interesting As Becks is now 30 - and its certainly hard to see him staying captain for another 4 years. Its a ridiculous idea to have sponsors picking the team and the FA should tell them in no uncertain terms that that request is completely out of order. So expect Sam to be given the job on condition that Becks stays captain for the next 4 years then
