Beckham 'behind Stone Roses reformation'
David Beckham was instrumental in the Stone Roses' reformation, it has been claimed.
The soccer star first approached bassist Mani – also known as Gary Mountfield – about the possibility of the legendary group getting back together in Los Angeles earlier this year and then quizzed frontman Ian Brown at the testimonial match for his former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville in May.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "David has always been a huge Stone Roses fan.
"You've got to remember he was a young lad in Manchester when The Roses were a big deal. It was impossible to live there without being into the band.
"Ian and Mani are Reds through and through so they all knew each other a bit back in the day.
"David heard there was a chance the ice was thawing between Ian and guitarist John Squire and he got involved.
"He told Mani in no uncertain terms he simply had to get the band back together.
"He said he would be willing to ring all the boys and beg them to crack on. And when he saw Ian at Old Trafford a month later, he really laid it on thick and said that he would be willing to do anything to make it happen."
The soccer star – who is based in America with wife Victoria and their four children, where he plays for Los Angeles Galaxy – was one of the first people to find out about the group's rehearsals for their reunion shows, which take place next summer.
The source added: "David was one of the first people to know it was going ahead when the boys finally got together for rehearsals again."
