The 1997 Charity Shield was a game of several "firsts". Manchester United's only goal of open play was from Ronny Johnsen, who scored his first goal in a competitive game for them. It was the first competitive appearance in a Manchester United shirt for Johnsen's teammate Teddy Sheringham, who had joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur five weeks earlier. It was also the first competitive appearance in a Chelsea shirt for goalkeeper Ed de Goey.
This match was also known for David Beckham having his shirt misspelled as "Beckam".