Thirty years have passed since David Beckham launched a shot from the halfway line that changed his life forever — and Neil Sullivan, the goalkeeper who could only watch it arc into his net, still remembers every detail.

It was 17th August 1996, the opening day of the Premier League season. Manchester United, reigning champions and riding the confidence of their celebrated Class of '92, travelled to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon. The game had followed a predictable script: Eric Cantona broke the deadlock with a crisp strike from the edge of the area, and Denis Irwin doubled the advantage to put the match beyond doubt.

Then, in the dying minutes, a 21-year-old Beckham noticed Sullivan standing off his line and swung his right foot at the ball from 55 yards out. What followed became one of the most replayed moments in Premier League history.

Sullivan's side of the story