David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson and a number of other Manchester United legends have shed further light on the infamous ‘flying boot’ incident, often referred to as ‘Bootgate’, in the former footballers’ new self-titled Netflix documentary.
If you were a football fan in the early to mid-2000s, it didn’t matter whether you were a Man United fan or not: pretty much everyone and their nan heard about the time Sir Alex allegedly launched a boot at David Beckham‘s head during an argument in the dressing room at half-time.
Although it was initially reported that the manager threw the boot at him intentionally by the tabloids back of the day, the story continued to change over the years and the consensus eventually landed on the truth being that a frustrated kick of a stray boot accidentally hit the midfielder just above the eye.
The then 28-year-old was then pictured with a gash above his eye and ended up needing stitches. While the pair of them have talked about it independently in the past, Becks, Fergie and a number of ex-United stars who were present at the time have now gone into more detail on exactly how it went down.
"We all did it once. Every player that was with Sir Alex for a long time told him to f**k off once. And you didn't do it again."
The definitive story of what happened between David, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's boot. #BECKHAMpic.twitter.com/XFLRUbKlsX
Beckham, Ferguson and more give their account of the ‘flying boot’ incident.
As the United, Real Madrid and England legend goes on to recount the altercation as he remembers it: “We lost against Arsenal; we walked in the changing room and the boss is fuming, I can see by his face”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Being asked to recreate the face Ferguson used to make before one of his trademark and much-feared ‘hair-dryer’ rants, the 48-year-old tells interviewer and the documentary’s director, Fisher Stevens, that it’s simply an expression that no one can even come close to imitating.
Roping in old United kitman Albert Morgan and former teammate turned head coach himself, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, everyone gives their version of events, detailing how both Beckham and Ferguson were going back at forth at each other, exchanging expletives after the player disagreed with his manager’s criticism.
ADVERTISEMENT
After Gary Neville jokes that everyone who played under ‘the gaffer’ “told him to f*** once” but that they never did it again, they then explain how the manager kicked a pile of clothes on the floor and, in a freak accident, it turned out Solskjær’s boot was amongst them and it ultimately struck Beckham in the face.
20 years ago today, Sir Alex Ferguson infamously kicked a football boot out of frustration towards David Beckham, which resulted in Becks having stitches above his eye. The ultimate hairdryer treatment from SAF. #MUFCpic.twitter.com/AP8yFq41b1
As the clip teases, Beckham claims that tensions flared up even more after he drew blood and he even ended up having to be held back by his teammates
Admitting himself that it was a complete fluke and unintentional — Morgan quipping that “he couldn’t do it again if he tried” — Ferguson owned up to the accidental assault but has never backed down on being in the right in that argument.
ADVERTISEMENT
In fact, despite the footballing icon’s protests, the legendary United manager goes on to insist throughout the show that “David changed” after he became a celebrity, with the Netflix documentary doing a deep dive on everything meeting Victoria, his alleged affair with Rebecca Loos and more.
Another relatable married couple moment which viewers have been enjoying is how quick he was to call out the former Spice Girl on her fairly comfortable upbringing in comparison to his own. She was called ‘Posh’, after all.
Imagine getting roasted by your own husband on TV. So funny from David Beckham's floating head 🤣 https://t.co/hM1FamEXIy
Manchester City have officially revealed their fourth signing of the summer window after confirming the transfer of top target Tijjani Reijnders.
The highly sought-after Serie A midfielder joins the club from AC Milan on a five-year contract for an initial fee of approximately £46.5 million, after having been tracked by a number of clubs across Europe over the past season or so.
Reijnders, 26, registered 15 goals and five assists from central midfielder last season (more than any other player in the league) with Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki stating that he models his game on Kevin De Bruyne, making him the perfect replacement for the Belgian – on paper, at least.
Finally unveiled on Wednesday, 11 June, he is arguably the statement signing of what looks to be a continued spending spree which began back in January.
With Man City splashing roughly £200m to kick off the 2025 calendar year as they brought the likes of Omar Marmoush and a trio of defensively geared players in Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and CDM Nico Gonzalez, it seems like they started as they mean to go on.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak assured fans that the club would be picking up “several players” in a recent interview after he argued they hadn’t been aggressive enough last summer, and given that the current main window hasn’t even been open for a fortnight yet, we’d say he’s sticking to that promise.
This year actually marks a rare instance of the transfer window being broken up into two parts due to the FIFA Club World Cup (which City are among the favourites to win) and will then re-open on 16 June.
Nevertheless, the Blues look to have got plenty of their business done already, not only with the arrival of Reijnders but the acquisition of left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri earlier this week, plus another attack-minded midfielder, Rayan Cherki.
The second player of Algerian descent and the second signing of the summer window was quickly announced by the Man City social media team just before the Dutchman.
Along with the signing of a new shotstopper, Marcus Betinelli from Chelsea – set to replace former reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson, who left the club after six seasons on Monday – that makes it four new incoming already.
Once again, not only do these latest additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad take their transfer total to over £300m on new talent in 2025, but there is still plenty of time for City to sign even more players with the summer window not closing until 7pm BST on 1 September.
Although the club have now acquired all of the players they have been most publicly linked with so far, it’s unclear whether their spending will continue or if the focus now turns to the Club World Cup getting underway this month and preparing the current squad for next season.
What do you make of Man City‘s latest recruits? Don’t forget, there have been some new arrivals in the backroom as well.
The beloved Billy Boston, the definition of a Wigan Warriors legend, has been given the first knighthood in rugby league history.
A Welsh hero as well, the former professional was a pioneering force for black players in the UK during the mid-20th century, representing both Wigan and Great Britain, with over 500 competitive appearances, primarily as a winger.
Having scored an unprecedented total of 478 tries in 487 games for the Warriors (571 in his entire career), he remains not just one of their greatest icons but one of the most influential rugby league players of all time.
With that in mind, while it may have been long overdue, Boston was made a knight prior to the King’s birthday and before the honours list was even officially announced.
🎖️🏉 Today at Buckingham Palace, Sir Billy Boston became the first sportsman to receive a knighthood for services to Rugby League.
The King presented Sir Billy – who is considered one of the best Rugby League players of all time, scoring a British record of 571 tries and 488… pic.twitter.com/QD8jTR7jPS
Now 90 years old, an exception was made for the Cardiff-born ex-pro due to growing concerns over his health; moreover, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer dubbed it a “historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour.”
Since it’s taken a total of 130 years for someone from the discipline, we tend to agree.
Boston was sadly diagnosed with vascular dementia back in 2016 at the age of 82 – a disease that is being increasingly studied across rugby, given the contact sport’s strong connection to conditions like CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
Head coach and fellow record-breaker, Matt Peet, wrote in a statement via the club: “Not just for Billy or Wigan, but for rugby league to get its first knighthood is great news. He’s an iconic figure and name in our Club, and he’s certainly part of the team at Wigan.
“He has a huge presence, and he’s just a really warm character. I’d just describe him as a gentleman, very humble, always up for a laugh, and he’s been very supportive since we’ve been in position.”
130 years of discrimination is over as Billy Boston becomes the first rugby league player to be knighted.
A Black Welshman who became a legend in Wigan, Billy is a pioneer as well as one of the greatest players of all time.
— Mike Meehall Wood (@MikeMeehallWood) June 9, 2025
Echoing his sentiment, Wigan Warriors‘ chairman, Chris Brookes, said, “I am absolutely delighted and so happy that Billy – and rugby league – has finally received the ultimate recognition his stellar career deserves”, with club CEO Kris Radlinski going on to to add: “He’s a cultural icon in rugby league.”
Unsurprisingly, WRL (the nation’s official governing body) joined the flood of individuals and organisations in celebrating the groundbreaking sporting great, writing: “The boy from Tiger Bay who became a Knight. A very proud day for Billy, his family and Wales Rugby League.”
Congratulations to a local legend who paved the way for generations of future rugby stars.
It’s been a special few days for the Greater Manchester side as their women’s team also made some history of their own this past weekend.
Danny Jones -
5th October 2023 
