# What will happen if Beckham refuses to return to Galaxy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172 "2009-02-24T06:04:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/41 "2009-03-02T17:36:25Z")
> [@Piker](#): > > Leeds United > West Ham United > Hartlepool United > Colchester United > Peterborough United > Carlisle United > Sheffield United (maybe, depends on the history of the cricket club it was named after, which a quick google search is of no help) > Dundee United > Airdrie United You want to provide a cite for any of those? The first one I looked up was Peterborough, which is named for Peterborough & Fletton United. the team it replaced, formed by… a merger. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/42 "2009-03-02T17:46:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You want to provide a cite for any of those? The first one I looked up was Peterborough, which is named for Peterborough & Fletton United. the team it replaced, formed by… a merger. I take Peterborough back. From wiki: [QUOTE=Leeds] Leeds United’s predecessor team Leeds City FC was formed in 1904, but was forcibly disbanded by The Football League in 1919 in response to allegations of illegal payments to players during the First World War. A new club, Leeds United, was formed and the club received an invitation to enter the Midland League from the league secretary, Mr. J Nicholson. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=West Ham] Following growing disputes over the running and financing of the club in June 1900 Thames Ironworks F.C. was wound up,[3] then almost immediately relaunched on 5 July 1900 as West Ham United F.C. with Syd King[3] as their manager and future manager Charlie Paynter as his assistant. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Dundee] The club was saved from going out of business in October 1923 by a group of Dundee businessmen who then decided to change the club’s name to Dundee United in order to attract a wider appeal; the name Dundee City was considered but was protested by long standing city rivals Dundee FC.[6] [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Carisle] The club was formed on 17 May 1904 at Shaddongate United’s Annual General Meeting[1] when the club’s members voted to change the club’s name to Carlisle United. The newly formed club initially played at Milhome Bank and later at Devonshire Park, finally settling at their current home Brunton Park situated on Warwick Road.[2]. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Colchester] Colchester Town, nicknamed ‘The Oystermen’, were the original local side, established in 1867 and playing at Layer Road from 1909 until 1937, when they were dissolved. The stadium was originally owned by the army, who still have a strong presence in the town, until it was purchased by the club in 1919. Shortly before Town folded, Colchester United was set up. The owners had intended to run both teams, one professional and one amateur, under the same umbrella but the Essex County FA ruled that both teams could not be run under one set of rules, and so Town were wound down. [/QUOTE] You get the idea. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/43 "2009-03-02T23:27:16Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You can’t pick Man U as an example of anything. They’re like the Yankees- they suck and their fans are idiots. I resemble that remark! I’ll have you know I’ve been an idiot since I was 6 years old! If you knew what it was like to be outshone by a Scouser, you’d be more charitable. > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It pisses me off no end that as a Buccaneers fan I have to root for a team owned by the people who also own Man U. Yanks go home! ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/44 "2009-03-02T23:47:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Hasn’t he already retired from international football? I think what you’re thinking of is that he retired as captain of England. > [@](#): > > they suck Current holders of no fewer than five, yes that’s **five** , trophies: Community Shield Holders World Club Champions Carling Cup Holders Premiership Champions European Cup Holders If that’s “sucking” I’d like to see what they’re like when they get good ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/45 "2009-03-02T23:50:46Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sure, they’re stupid, but they’re organic. They didn’t come about just because the owner said, “hey, that would be cool!” > > Tottenham Hotspur is named for Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur from Shakespeare’s Henry something-or-other) whose family owned most of the area where the team was founded. > > Sheffield Wednesday is so named because the cricket club which eventually gave rise to the football team only played on Wednesdays. > > Racing Santander is properly Racing Club de Santander- named for the club which sponsored the original football team. I know where the names come from, but MLS didn’t have the luxury of being founded 100 years ago before Nike and corporate marketing idiots existed and sadly Bethlehem Steel FC has been defunct for 80+ years. Yes, it sucks that MLS gave some of the teams stupid names, but as long as the fans like them who cares if they came from a sponsor, ripping off another team, from a sporting club, or from some clever newspaper editor. I also think that it is somewhat unfair that MLS gets killed for ripping off euro names when there are 37 Arsenals around the word, and I’m pretty sure all of them weren’t founded by workers at a weapons factory. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/46 "2009-03-03T00:53:33Z")
> [@MichaelQReilly](#): > > I also think that it is somewhat unfair that MLS gets killed for ripping off euro names when there are 37 Arsenals around the word, and I’m pretty sure all of them weren’t founded by workers at a weapons factory. Are there? **Piker** , you win. I still maintain that Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo are stupid… but you can have United. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/47 "2009-03-03T08:13:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > **Piker** , you win. I still maintain that Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo are stupid… but you can have United. 😃 Don’t forget that D.C. United was partly named what they were because they play in Washington D.C., the capitol of the _ **United** _ States. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/48 "2009-03-03T15:05:44Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Are there? There is one in Brazil (and an Everton in Chile) and a bunch in Eastern Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/49 "2009-03-04T16:42:12Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > Current holders of no fewer than five, yes that’s **five** , trophies: > > Community Shield Holders > World Club Champions > Carling Cup Holders > Premiership Champions > European Cup Holders I’ve heard people talking about the five trophies deal for United this season. I’ve always understood the Community Shield to be a pre-season match; do the English really consider that a “trophy”? I’m asking, I honestly don’t know. It seems like putting the Super Bowl, the NFC East Championship, and the Hall of Fame Game in the same category. -Piker ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/50 "2009-03-04T16:43:35Z")
> [@Piker](#): > > I’ve heard people talking about the five trophies deal for United this season. I’ve always understood the Community Shield to be a pre-season match; do the English really consider that a “trophy”? I’m asking, I honestly don’t know. It seems like putting the Super Bowl, the NFC East Championship, and the Hall of Fame Game in the same category. It only counts when you win it. 😃 The World Club Championship is also more like an exhibition (though to a lesser degree). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/51 "2009-03-04T18:39:12Z")
The Carling Cup is also a lesser championship. When people speak of winning the treble they’re generally talking about the domestic cup (FA cup in England), the league championship, and the Champions League. I think ManU was the last to do it. MLS doesn’t have quite the same deal as the CONCACAF champions league is fairly new. Lots of people talk about the domestic treble which would be MLS Cup, the US Open Cup, and the Supporters Shield (best regular season record.) This is fairly contrived, but it’s fun to think about. So far it hasn’t been done. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/52 "2009-03-04T19:26:13Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The Carling Cup is also a lesser championship. When people speak of winning the treble they’re generally talking about the domestic cup (FA cup in England), the league championship, and the Champions League. I think ManU was the last to do it. > > MLS doesn’t have quite the same deal as the CONCACAF champions league is fairly new. Lots of people talk about the domestic treble which would be MLS Cup, the US Open Cup, and the Supporters Shield (best regular season record.) This is fairly contrived, but it’s fun to think about. So far it hasn’t been done. I understand there are trophies (League Cup) that are less well regarded than others (the European Cup). I was just thinking that there is a big difference between competition trophies and exhibition trophies. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/53 "2009-03-04T19:59:59Z")
> [@Piker](#): > > I understand there are trophies (League Cup) that are less well regarded than others (the European Cup). I was just thinking that there is a big difference between competition trophies and exhibition trophies. Let’s put it this way- if Man United were relegated but won the FA Cup, Sir Alec (Ferguson) might keep his job. If Man United were relegated but won the Charity Shield/Community Shield/whatever they call it now, he’d be torn to shreds by a pack of angry fans. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/54 "2009-03-05T07:39:46Z")
Let’s put it this way: If the reds were relegated there would be great joy in the Blue half of Manchester and quite possibly in most other cities as well, London excepted as most manure fans live there ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/55 "2009-03-06T11:08:24Z")
Well, Beckham’s going to be the world’s first [timeshare footballer](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7926933.stm), accepting a pay cut to pave the way for the deal. I really don’t know how this jibes with FIFA’s multiple registration rules, but then I suppose the old monetary vaseline has soothed such concerns. I also don’t see how playing a full Italian season, followed by half an American one, leading straight into another Italian one is the best way to maintain fitness for international duty. He’s going to be absolutely knackered unless at least one of his three teams uses him extremely sparingly. Edit: Rumours that the Milan representatives were forced to sit through a three hour slideshow and pressure sales pitch for the Beckhamshare are unconfirmed, although it is believed that they opted for the mystery gift rather than the boxed set of Wisconsin cheeses. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/56 "2009-03-06T14:03:32Z")
I think the more interesting rumour is that apparently Beckham is dipping in to his own pocket to help seal the deal. I’ll laugh my ass off if he doesn’t make it to the England squad now, even though I think he deserves his place on the bench. It’s always nice to see Peterborough mentioned, although none of the fans ever refer to the ‘United’ part. It’s usually ‘Peterbrugh’ or, more commonly, Posh (much to Victoria Beckham’s dismay). ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/57 "2009-03-06T16:10:25Z")
I could care less about Galaxy, but one has to wonder what they are thinking at this point. The $3 million that Milan was offering could have payed for their entire non-Beckham salary budget this year. Now, they are virtually assuring that they will have the same problem that they did last year again this year. Namely, Beckham and Donovan surrounded 9 Blue Square Premier caliber players. All this so Galaxy can sell a few shirts in Asia, Milan can compete for no trophies, and Beckham can ride the pine in yet another mediocre England World Cup showing in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/58 "2009-03-06T16:27:05Z")
> [@MJinks](#): > > I think the more interesting rumour is that apparently Beckham is dipping in to his own pocket to help seal the deal. I’ll laugh my ass off if he doesn’t make it to the England squad now, even though I think he deserves his place on the bench. > > It’s always nice to see Peterborough mentioned, although none of the fans ever refer to the ‘United’ part. It’s usually ‘Peterbrugh’ or, more commonly, Posh (much to Victoria Beckham’s dismay). I will always maintain a deep-rooted love for Peterborough because they have a few terrific players who I always signed for peanuts at the start of the season in _Championship Manager 3_ (Matthew Etherington and Simon Davies). If Yeovil Town ever folded, I’d adopt Peterborough U as my team in a minute. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/59 "2009-03-06T17:51:37Z")
> [@MichaelQReilly](#): > > I could care less about Galaxy, but one has to wonder what they are thinking at this point. The $3 million that Milan was offering could have payed for their entire non-Beckham salary budget this year. Now, they are virtually assuring that they will have the same problem that they did last year again this year. Namely, Beckham and Donovan surrounded 9 Blue Square Premier caliber players. > > All this so Galaxy can sell a few shirts in Asia, Milan can compete for no trophies, and Beckham can ride the pine in yet another mediocre England World Cup showing in 2010. Sure they sucked last year, but they also, by far, made the most money in the league. Beckham is a cash cow. That’s what they’re thinking. $3m was a completely insulting offer. They would lose more than that in sponsorship clauses having Beckham leave. ---
**Author:** ![Piker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@Piker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Piker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172/60 "2009-03-06T18:48:42Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Sure they sucked last year, but they also, by far, made the most money in the league. Beckham is a cash cow. That’s what they’re thinking. $3m was a completely insulting offer. They would lose more than that in sponsorship clauses having Beckham leave. After dealing with the smug superiority of Galaxy fans for going on 14 years now, there is a pleasant satisfaction of seeing their management flush all competitive prospects down the drain so they can sell more jerseys in Asia. -Piker [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-beckham-refuses-to-return-to-galaxy/487172.md?page=4)