Beckham's century

As David Beckham starts for England in France tonight, he becomes only the fifth England player in history to reach 100 caps.

Billy Wright, the Wolves centre-half, was the first to achieve that distinction. He was initially capped against Northern Ireland in 1946, Walter (later Sir Walter) Winterbottom’s first match in charge, and he clocked up his 100th appearance against Scotland at Wembley in 1959.

Wright finished on 105 caps and skippered England on 90 occasions, a record later equalled by Bobby Moore.

Bobby (later Sir Bobby) Charlton went one better during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, making his 106th and last England appearance in that fateful quarter-final with West Germany in Leon. Colin Bell substituted for him soon after Franz Beckenbauer’s goal.

Bobby Moore then set a new record with 108 caps, appearing for the last time in a Wembley friendly against Italy in 1973. He was England’s captain in a match settled by Fabio Capello’s close-range goal three minutes from time.

England’s record caps-holder is, of course, Peter Shilton. 'Shilts' kept goal for England over a 20-year period, starting with the East Germany friendly in 1970 and ending with the 1990 World Cup’s 'match for third place' against the Italian hosts.

Shilton finished with a massive 125 caps.

Beckham made his England debut nearly 12 years ago, Glenn Hoddle picking the 21-year-old to play in a World Cup qualifier in Moldova on 1 September 1996. England won 3-0.

Well done, Becks!