Viewers voted in a live telephone poll during a show which was estimated to have had an audience of some 10 million.

It capped a triumphant 12 months for the 26-year-old England skipper, whose brilliant last-gasp equaliser against Greece at Old Trafford sealed the national side's place in next summer's World Cup finals in Japan and Korea.

But after collecting the gong at the awards which have been running for almost half a century, Beckham revealed there were times in the fallout from his red card during England's game against Argentina in France '98, which led to his vilification as the man who cost Glenn Hoddle's team the World Cup, that he felt his moment would never happen.

"At that moment in time, and probably for six months afterwards, I did not think it would have turned around like it has," said Beckham.

"This award is voted by fans and people from around the county who watch the England team play and Manchester United and that's who I thank for this award - it is amazing."

The midfielder singled out the game against the Greeks on October 6 as the highlight of his year, which also included winning the Premiership and beating arch international rivals Germany.

"Every one was an important game, but I was lucky to play in that Greece game and score that goal.

"It was a dream come true for me to score the goal that took my country through to the World Cup finals and to be captain and to do it at the club you have supported your whole life.

"But it is a team thing and that's what it has been since after we lost that game at home to Germany at Wembley in October 2000.

"We have come together and done well."

Earlier this week Beckham picked up a similar award from the Sports Writers' Association.

Ironically, it has not been such a great week for Beckham on the football front.

He was left out of United's team for their midweek 3-0 victory over Boavista in the Champions League, and again on Saturday as his team suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham in the Premiership.

Beckham, though, was quick to defend his club and claimed they would come through their current slump in form.

He said: "I would like to thank all the viewers for voting, but most of all my team-mates at Manchester United and the manager, because without them I would not be standing here today.

"People have said a lot about the Manchester United team and the manager over the last couple of months, but when you talk about ambition there is only one man that we all look up to - Alex Ferguson.

"The team will pull together and come through this difficult patch.

"I also have to thank my England teammates, without them we would not be at the stage where we are - and going through to the World Cup finals.

"Obviously Mr Eriksson had the bottle to keep me as England captain and I thank him very much for that," Beckham added after receiving the award from his international coach.

Beckham also recognised the part the support from his family had played in his achievements.

He added: "Most of all my wife, who is behind me the whole time and obviously my son, who watches me in every game."

Also short listed for the honour were British number one tennis star Tim Henman, world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and world triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards.

Six other prizes were also handed out during the ceremony.

They were: Team of the year: Liverpool; Coach of the year: Sven-Goran Eriksson; Overseas personality of the year: Goran Ivanisevic; Lifetime achievement award; Alex Ferguson; BBC young sports personality of the year: Amy Spencer; Helen Rollason award (for courage and achievement in the face of adversity): Ellen MacArthur.