WEST Ham teenager Joe Widdowson landed his dream job of marking David Beckham and came away with some unforgettable memories and a unique souvenir.
The 19-year-old played a full 90 minutes at left-back for the Hammers in Thursday night's Major League Soccer All-Star Game in Toronto, having been told just hours before kick-off that he was to be spending the evening keeping a close eye on the LA Galaxy and England star.
Despite West Ham's 3-2 defeat to the MLS All-Stars - in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,844 at BMO Field, Widdowson held his own with Beckham for most of the game.
The Hammers reserve team regular was thrilled to have been handed the opportunity to rub shoulders with one of English football's greatest icons - and even left with Beckham's match jersey.
Widdowson explained: "He signed it: 'To Joe, Best Wishes'. It's just brilliant. It was great to play against him.
"I had a couple of words with him during the game and he was really polite."
With regular left-back George McCartney one of several first teamers left behind in London nursing injuries, West Ham manager Alan Curbishley drafted in several academy players for their two-game North American tour.
The boss gave Widdowson his chance to face Beckham and Co after playing the whole of last Sunday's tour opener, a 3-1 win at MLS side Columbus Crew.
"I found out I was coming on the tour last Wednesday and then I found out this morning that I was playing," Widdowson said.
"We spoke a bit about how to play against David because obviously he's got such a great cross on him and he tries to put the ball in early, so I tried to stop that - but he's a great player."
Widdowson, a lifelong Hammers fan from Forest Gate, has been with the club since he was 11 and he said he was grateful for the chance to be a part of the senior squad's pre-season preparations.
"It's been a real bonus to come on tour with the players and to play in all the games. I've just enjoyed it so much and hopefully it will carry on.
"It was great to play the 90 minutes and it was definitely the biggest game of my life.
"The atmosphere was crazy, so many people, the most I've ever played in front of, so it was just really good and I enjoyed myself."
Despite West Ham's 3-2 defeat to the MLS All-Stars - in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,844 at BMO Field, Widdowson held his own with Beckham for most of the game.
The Hammers reserve team regular was thrilled to have been handed the opportunity to rub shoulders with one of English football's greatest icons - and even left with Beckham's match jersey.
Widdowson explained: "He signed it: 'To Joe, Best Wishes'. It's just brilliant. It was great to play against him.
"I had a couple of words with him during the game and he was really polite."
With regular left-back George McCartney one of several first teamers left behind in London nursing injuries, West Ham manager Alan Curbishley drafted in several academy players for their two-game North American tour.
The boss gave Widdowson his chance to face Beckham and Co after playing the whole of last Sunday's tour opener, a 3-1 win at MLS side Columbus Crew.
"I found out I was coming on the tour last Wednesday and then I found out this morning that I was playing," Widdowson said.
"We spoke a bit about how to play against David because obviously he's got such a great cross on him and he tries to put the ball in early, so I tried to stop that - but he's a great player."
Widdowson, a lifelong Hammers fan from Forest Gate, has been with the club since he was 11 and he said he was grateful for the chance to be a part of the senior squad's pre-season preparations.
"It's been a real bonus to come on tour with the players and to play in all the games. I've just enjoyed it so much and hopefully it will carry on.
"It was great to play the 90 minutes and it was definitely the biggest game of my life.
"The atmosphere was crazy, so many people, the most I've ever played in front of, so it was just really good and I enjoyed myself."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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