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'He deserves it' - Taylor on Beckham knighthood

Canvey Island manager Peter TaylorBBC Essex Sport

Peter Taylor managed England Under-21s from 1999 to 2001

Warren Muggleton
BBC Essex Sport
Paul Grunill
BBC Sport, East

On the day news broke David Beckham is set to be awarded a knighthood, the man who first gave him the England captain's armband says he "thoroughly deserves it".

Peter Taylor, now manager of Essex non-league outfit Canvey Island, only had one game as caretaker boss of the Three Lions in 2000.

But his influence was an enduring one because of his decision to name Beckham - who won 59 caps as captain and 115 in total - as skipper for that friendly against Italy.

And on the midfielder's expected inclusion in the King's Birthday Honours List, Taylor told BBC Essex: "I'm delighted for David.

"He thoroughly deserves it because he is always committed to things he does. He takes responsibility seriously. Good luck to him."

Ex-Leicester, Hull and Crystal Palace boss Taylor, however, currently has slightly less exalted matters on his mind.

After two years away from the dugout - in a coaching career that began at Dartford in 1986 and has taken him to places as far flung as India and New Zealand - the 72-year-old has returned to management at seventh-tier Canvey Island.

Taylor turned out for Canvey at the very start of a playing career that took him to Southend, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur and brought him four England caps as a fast-raiding winger - and he needed little persuading to return.

He added: "I've had a lovely career, definitely lots of ups and downs, highs and lows, but I still enjoy football.

"When, all of a sudden, I got a phone call from Canvey to say 'would you like to come and manage the team, are you interested">