I scored after 13 seconds against Man United and then they signed me - but I left after one game

Peter Beardsley could swivel, twist and turn with a football in an era when long balls and direct play was the norm. Beardsley is regarded by a generation as one of the most underrated players England has produced but he enjoyed a distinguished career and won 59 caps for his country.

Beardsley also played a game for Manchester United, which is unknown to some, such was the low-key nature of his appearance and the fact he spent just six months in Manchester.

The Hexham-born lad eventually became a hero for Liverpool and Newcastle and he was blessed with the talent to become an icon at Old Trafford - but it just wasn't meant to be.

Beardsley started his footballing career at the famous Wallsend Boys Club. He became a professional with Carlisle United before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada.

It was in Vancouver where Beardsley caught the eye of former United manager Ron Atkinson. "Like most players chasing a dream, I jumped at the chance of a move to Manchester United. The dream did not become a nightmare exactly but it would hardly be correct to say my time as a player under manager Ron Atkinson was sweet," Beardsley explained in his life story book.

"It was certainly short. It was at the start of my second summer in Vancouver that we played against United who were themselves on an end of a season tour. It was a big game for us and our supporters turned up in force. United are a big draw wherever in the world they play.

"But we hammered them. I scored after 13 seconds - and that was after a United kick-off! Later in the game I managed to grab another goal and we ended up beating Atkinson's team 3-0.

"After the match, the manager took me to one side and told me big Ron had been talking about me and that I should not