Does Beckham deserve a knighthood?
Posted by forfar4@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 113 comments
So many people are claiming that he got stroppy when he was denied by Elizabeth and that there are other people in sport who haven't been so 'obvious' in their pursuit of honours - just interested to know what people think about this.
Life-Bedroom-8886@reddit
No one deserves a knighthood.
The UK honours system is an anachronistic throwback to less enlightened times.
Anyone who WANTS a title (as this ex-football player seem to) is ridiculous.
StarShipYear@reddit
Why didn't David Attenborough deserve his knighthood?
Life-Bedroom-8886@reddit
Because NO ONE deserves a knighthood.
I didn’t think I’d expressed that view with any ambiguity.
Is he any more important than you, me or anyone else in society?
StarShipYear@reddit
I know, that's why I asked: Why didn't David Attenborough deserve his knighthood?
idontlikemondays321@reddit
I agree that it’s pointless but it doesn’t do any harm. Lords however..
Flowerofthesouth88@reddit
What The everyday heroes like The Police, The firefighters and even The odd teacher?
YouSayWotNow@reddit
100% this. The entire system is outdated and needs to die a death.
But given that it sadly still persist, I don't really care either way whether he gets an knighthood or not.
MisterIndecisive@reddit
Pipe down peasant
NarwhalsAreSick@reddit
I deserve a knighthood.
malin7@reddit
Of course, he's one of the greatest living British sportsmen, and a great representative of the country around the world
cloche_du_fromage@reddit
No he's not. He's never won anything for the country or been acknowledged as a world great.
He was a better than average footballer in a very good team, who happened to be very good at self promotion
cloche_du_fromage@reddit
He's been hugely financially rewarded for what he's done.
I would prefer honours to go to people who do things for others or society rather than as a by product of enriching themselves.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Trying to work out what for specifically. He didn't win a World Cup or Euro. Won a lot at club level but that was a team effort. Hasn't got into management, not really pushed the game forward as such. Just another ex-footballer.
BEADGBE_Blues@reddit
If I’m searching for reasons I’d say charity work, the European cup win. The reality is he’s popular in the bullshit celeb/culture/‘sell us all something’ world.
bduk92@reddit
If Jacob Rees Mogg can get a knighthood, then I've no issue with David Beckham having one.
The system has no meaning
Best_Cup_883@reddit
Lets appose the system then rather than just say lets give everyone a knighthood. We often here these debates, NY honours etc. Oh some utter cu t torry got one. I appose all knighthoods, its utterly pathetic. I cannot see any reason for one. I know someone who has one and I am not royalty so for me its pointless. Just pay nurses more, and footballers have a trophy cabinet etc.
bduk92@reddit
How can you "oppose the system" ?
It's at the whim of politicians and the King. Everyone knows it's a farce, but there's no actual route for people to enact change.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
How can you "oppose the system" of knighthoods? - therein lies the problem.
I certainly wouldn't play to the game. You see it on radio, gammon tv etc. Oh I some Remainers think Linaker and bob Geldof should be knighted, then you get some right-wing person saying someone they like should be. The point is none of them should be.
If I get any opportunity, this discussion is the first I admit lol, then I oppose it in words.
Horror-Kumquat@reddit
You know Bob Geldof **was** knighted, don't you? He was given a KBE but can't call himself 'Sir Bob' because he's Irish, not a Commonwealth citizen.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
I don't care.
wordsfromlee@reddit
You have a funny way of showing it
Dry-Author3253@reddit
Quite a few comments on this topic would suggest otherwise
bduk92@reddit
So just openly rang about it to anyone whenever the opportunity arises.
I suspect the establishment are immune to that.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
'If I get any opportunity, this discussion is the first I admit lol, then I oppose it in words.' - Yes.
If you support it fine, continue arguing about which footballer deserves it more. I don't support it. I am not sure why you are trying to belittle me for opposing it.
bduk92@reddit
I've been pretty clear that I don't support it. I've literally said the whole system has no meaning and it's a farce.
itsYaBoiga@reddit
What have footballers got to do with nurses?
Best_Cup_883@reddit
I appose all the awards. Nurses also. Anything you say that elevates someone without a exam, such as DR this or that I appose.
SteR88@reddit
Oppose ffs.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
Damn :) Sorry! :)
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Exactly. "he's only kicked a ball about", well thats a lot more than anything Rees-Mogg has accomplished.
smellyfeet25@reddit
and was never such an entitled dick
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Yes I don't think you'd have caught him nodding off on the reserve bench.
SnooRegrets8068@reddit
He's kicked the country about a bit.
smellyfeet25@reddit
good point
Plumb121@reddit
Good point
WVA1999@reddit
Yes. Services for nepotism to his kids.
Tricky_Ricky83@reddit
They give them to anyone this days so why not. The bigger question is what the point of them these days?
Surely they’re pointless by now? If I had my way I’d get rid of this time of thing.
forfar4@reddit (OP)
We'd be truly fucked if these knights were sent into battle on our behalf, like they were in days of yore.
Tricky_Ricky83@reddit
Haha wouldn’t we just!!
UltimateGammer@reddit
He just wants to one up posh's dad and we should let him.
Pircster38@reddit
No because those that ask don't get.
Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit
The way he kicked it up the park from his own half and stuck it right in Wimbledon's goal hole back in '96 is well worthy of a knighthood
Shallowbrook6367@reddit
Living in a different country (and not paying taxes here) should result in being disqualified from a Knighthood. Just my opinion.
idontlikemondays321@reddit
Not a football fan so can’t comment on that aspect as such but he’s a household name, was obviously very successful and has been involved with charity work, so I don’t see why not
ResplendentBear@reddit
The problem is that there's tons of footballers who the second two things you list apply to.
Which does create the impression he's being given it for being a household name/celebrity.
idontlikemondays321@reddit
I guess the same could be said for the musicians and politicians who have been given one
SnoopyLupus@reddit
I haven’t seen anyone advertise Stella as diligently. Deserved.
ZaharaWiggum@reddit
Maybe Liz 2 was a West Ham fan.
forfar4@reddit (OP)
Apparently, she was known for giving Millwall fans the finger on occasion...
DodgyDiagnosis@reddit
Aside from his charity work, he played a significant role in our winning bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
HenshinDictionary@reddit
You been doing YouGov surveys? There's one right now asking this very question.
I have no real opinion on the man.
forfar4@reddit (OP)
Funnily enough, I unsubscribed yougov early this morning because I never do one of their surveys and I was sick to death of their email ☺️
TuMek3@reddit
Considering the historic list of previous recipients - being knighted isn’t particularly important, so yes I guess.
Fluffy-Astronomer604@reddit
In comparison to Kevin Sinfield? Absolutely not.
BobBobBobBobBobDave@reddit
There is a lot of suggestions that he has really really wanted one and has lobbied for it for years.
He turns up at a lot of events, friendly with the royals, does some fairly public charity work, etc.
I mean, I find the whole thing a bit silly and think Knighthoods (if they are going to exist) should more often go to non-celebrities who have achieved/contributed a lot, but I guess it isn't so much of a surprise that Beckham eventually got one.
I_want_roti@reddit
They do go to non-celebrities, there's a long honour list published at each one (New Year, King's Birthday, etc) but you just don't know who Robert Smith from Lincoln is and what charity work he's been doing
BobBobBobBobBobDave@reddit
I do wonder if the threshold is the same, though.
Does Robert from Lincoln have to do a hell of a lot more to get a knighthood than someone who is famous for other reasons?
Horror-Kumquat@reddit
Bob Smith from Lincoln can have a BEM and count himself lucky.
jonnyutah1366@reddit
singer for The Cure isn't he ?
MagicMadjeski@reddit
I think it's Robert Smith from Crawley so this guy from Lincoln must be someone else.
titlrequired@reddit
No he’s the other one.
Drewski811@reddit
The thing is there's a scale for awards, so that the work done is proportional.
The 'basic' awards of M/O/CBEs are given for work at different levels; community, regional and then national. Commander (CBE): Awarded for outstanding contributions at national level or leading roles at regional level. Officer (OBE): Awarded for significant contributions at local level or national level. Member (MBE): Recognizes contributions to the community, nation, or world.
Things like Knighthoods are for exceptional work at the international level, or significant national level things (like senior officers in the armed forces).
So based on that, a Knighthood for someone who's done significant with with UNICEF for 20 years and played a major role in the furthering of England / Great Britain... Yeah, a conservation of that level is understandable.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
Yes. He does, and he deserved it sooner. Frankly, I think he was snubbed because he ruined Harry's wedding by showing up looking how he did and making a literal Prince look like second choice.
No_Earth_5912@reddit
So David Beckham ruined his chance at a knighthood by being David Beckham? Funny if true
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
It's my theory and I stand by it
Personal_Stranger_52@reddit
I like that theory
No_Earth_5912@reddit
Fair enough, I think it’s probably a lot more about an email leak scandal where he basically said he only does charity work for honours.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
Away with your logic
But also, I only work for my salary, if my employer saw me say that in an email and decided not to pay me, that'd be ridiculous.
No_Earth_5912@reddit
As you should. You’re not going out of your way to receive more than money though. If you were constantly pestering your manager for a bonus, that would be a more appropriate analogy.
Subject_Hall4422@reddit
What’s the context to this?
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
He essentially turned up to Prince Harry's wedding looking like an actual God. It was the equivalent to having Margot Robbie turn up to your wedding in a wedding dress. He made Prince Harry look like Anne Widdecombe.
Subject_Hall4422@reddit
🤣🤣🤣 poor Harry. But surely that’s not his fault he can’t help being attractive right?
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
I don't think it's his fault but I also understand why granny would hold a grudge. My granny wouldn't be happy if Margot Robbie had turned up to mine in a wedding dress.
Seriously though, google the pictures, Beckham barely looks human at that wedding. No one should look that good.
CheeryBottom@reddit
Arrrgghhhh now I have to google the bloody pictures. I’ll be back in a second
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
You're welcome
CheeryBottom@reddit
I’m more distracted by Victoria wearing the orange shoes with her dark blue outfit. I could have understood the shoe colour choice if her accessories had been orange.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
I'm not going to lie to you, I've never noticed that she's in the pictures...
CheeryBottom@reddit
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’ve got a weird thing for colour ratios in outfits. I like a nice 70:30 ratio of you’re only wearing two colours. It’s driving me bonkers that only her shoes are orange. I’ve even tried to see if at least the lining in her sleeves are maybe orange but it doesn’t look like it.
Wild_Cauliflower_970@reddit
If it helps, maybe she had a coat but it was warmer than she thought and/or a bag that was put somewhere else for security?
CheeryBottom@reddit
I’m going to go with that.
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Say what you want about him, the man looks good in a suit.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
I am against all knighthoods etc.
There are already recognised military awards for bravery etc.
If you are a health worker etc, then pay them all more if you want to thank them sod the stupid tittle and medal.
knighthoods for sports people and celebs is utterly idiotic. They have already been thanked, they are millionaires. If they are sports people they have a trophy cabinet. I would never call anyone sir this etc. It's idiotic. The King, Prince William etc, fine as there's half a dozen of them and they are our figureheads.
Calling David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, Ian Botham 'Sir' is a joke.
Dazz316@reddit
These are for people, not the military.
That's not for the Royal Family to decide, nor is it for groups of people.
It's generally not just for those things. Usually they go above and beyond doing a ton of charity work, standing above the rest in other ways.
I don't know enough about Beckham to say whether or not he deserves one. But your reasoning isn't sound.
Best_Cup_883@reddit
I think you are being pedantic.
'There are already recognised military awards for bravery etc.' - What about this is false. DSOs etc. These are awarded to military personal if that wasn't clear enough.
'If you are a health worker etc, then pay them all more if you want to thank them sod the stupid tittle and medal.' - Nurses have been awarded MBEs, there are awarded to individual health workers amongst individuals in other groups if that wasn't clear enough.
'It's generally not just for those things. Usually they go above and beyond doing a ton of charity work, standing above the rest in other ways.' - I made it clear I fundamentally appose all knighthoods etc. Just as some people are Republicans, its a fundamental belief.
I made it clear I am not going to argue with someone if Bob Geldof deserves one more/less than Ian Botham. I appose giving anyone such awards.
Dazz316@reddit
I never said it was false. I said knighthoods were just for people. David Beckham isn't in the military, other military awards are irrlevant.
Yes, but that's got nothing to do with the Royal family. The Government and NHS decide what they get paid. The Royal Family do not have the power* to decide that. They can award a person an MBE, they cannot decide to up NHS works pay. That's not in their power*.
Ok, what? I'm not sure how this is relevant. to what was said. Regardless what you beleive, knighthoods aren't usually just awarded for the things you mentioned. They are given for more duties to the UK. Your beliefs don't affect that.
And you made comments on that, which were incorrect. I was correcting them. I also made it clear I wasn't going to argue as I said I had no idea if Beckham did or didn't deserve it. I was correcting your mistakes.
Mr_Bumcrest@reddit
Having a knighthood means nothing when they are given out by politicians to their mates so who cares.
I_am_Reddit_Tom@reddit
Not particularly. He's not won anything with England (eg the 66 lot, RWC 2003, and the women's team). If you give it to him then every England captain could get one.
WoodyManic@reddit
No. And I don't think he should've received it. He wanted it so fucking badly.
Ok_Chipmunk_7066@reddit
My reason for David Beckham never being given a Knighthood is because he is so clearly desperate to receive one.
He was a good footballer, never the best at kicking a ball, but was a marketing/branding genius who created the world's biggest brand (at the time) and he earned roughly 40 too many England caps based on his form and performances.
From a footballing perspective in terms of things won, caps earnt, would you make Wayne Rooney, or Ashley Cole a Sir? Gary Lineker didn't get one
pikantnasuka@reddit
More than some. Less than others. Whatever.
Great-Break357@reddit
100% he deserves it, if you use this following example as a deserving recipient. (I picked it at random)
Sir Timothy Randall Martin, Founder and Chair, Wetherspoons. For services to Hospitality and to Culture. Knighted in 2024.
Not taking anything away from Sir Tim, starting your own empire is no mean feat, providing employment and funding the economy all whilst keeping the NHS liver disease unit busy! Sorry for the cynicism.
Beckham is a patriot and has worked hard in the world of sport to raise the UK's profile and in charity to help others, aside from having an amazing sporting career. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time with all that goodness, I'd be bouncing about on posh spice all day long and doing doughnuts in my Ferrari.
Real23Phil@reddit
Don't care, I'll never call him Sir, stopped using that word after being told to use it in the Army.
forgotpassword_aga1n@reddit
- Obligatory Simpsons
Elegant_Plantain1733@reddit
If he did the time has passed. There are others making contributions to sport and wider society in the here and now who are far more deserving of the current honours.
Ok-Bag3000@reddit
So past achievements count for nothing? Not to mention he does an immense amount of ongoing charity work.
Intrepid-Patient574@reddit
He's not the most deserving but he's far from the least deserving either. I think there's more to be said about the ones who are offered it and turn it down.
-qqqwwweeerrrtttyyy-@reddit
I can see he's done a lot to promote the UK and England in his time but there are countless others that do so that don't have his profile.
I think he's reached levels of fame and riches that mean there's very little left that can bring a sense of achievement (he's attained trappings of wealth, been the pinnacle of his sport (minus a world cup), raised a family (despite an affair), headed committee delegatations and been the face of charity campaigns). A knighthood is much like him collecting infinity stones. I would imagine there's a certain psychology in going from working class to being a Sir in one's lifetime. Had Charles said no, then I expected William would have said yes. Next, he'll want to be in Politics...
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
He wouldn't be my first pick, but he has certainly had a glittering career and made a packet.
Wild-Individual6876@reddit
His companies sell products in Russia. Paying tax to the Russian regime, finding the war in Ukraine. FUCK NO
PigletAlert@reddit
Not really, I think you need to make a really exceptional difference to people’s lives. The bar for that should be much higher for celebrities than simply setting up a charity with their already substantial wealth and giving up a bit of time.
Embarrassed_Belt1692@reddit
Not arsed TBH
MunkeeseeMonkeydoo@reddit
Let's be honest. No one is arsed only the people who actually get the honour. Some people spend a lot in bribes just for no one to give a shit.
Plumb121@reddit
Not really. There are multitudes of people out there doing far greater things without recognition who haven't kicked a ball around for a bit, and earned a fair bit of cash at the same time
LewisMileyCyrus@reddit
pretty sure it's for his charity work and role as a sort of 'public face' of England due to his popularity around the world, not for his goal vs Wimbledon or anything mate
G_UK@reddit
He doesn’t, but I can think of many others who don’t
Hopeful_Outcome_6816@reddit
Anyone who actually asks for one doesn't deserve to get one
External-Piccolo-626@reddit
No. And that queuing at the funeral was all PR.
winobeaver@reddit
can't see why he doesn't, he seems like a pretty obvious candidate, other than perhaps the social class of his parents
Perfectlovlies@reddit
Christ no, the guy is fick
LittleSadRufus@reddit
I wouldn't have previously particularly thought so, but I just read some of the articles and see he's been involved in charity work with a foundation associated with the king, so it makes perfect sense
cheandbis@reddit
I'm not a fan of sport's people getting them at all really unless they do something amazing, so no.
Lost_Foot8302@reddit
Deserves a Knighthood for putting up with sour puss face for so long, er... in my opinion.
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