1968 European Cup 1968 European Footballer of the Year 1967 1st Div League Championship 1965 1st Div League Championship
Genius,
magician, legend, George Best is
perhaps the most naturally talented footballer
ever to walk on the face of the
planet. Best was simply the complete player. Pele, Cruyff, Maradona - all were
superb but Best had a bit of each
in his game and more.
He could beat opponents with skill
and dazzling tricks, swerving through
defences like a skier on a slathom
course, or go past them with a burst
of devastating speed. For him, gravity was something that affected other people, Bestie seemed to zip across the pitch with the ball tied to his foot.
He could shoot brilliantly with either foot and
out-jump much taller opponents to
win the ball in the air. Imbued with the confidence and arrogance
to try absolutely anything, Best would often make a fool of some of the games greatest players.
Despite his slight frame, he had tremendous physical strength and resilience, along with an almost unnatural elasticity of limb and torso.
George was strong enough to take the knocks and abuse from the less
talented players who would try to
hack him out of the game. In an age
where players did not receive protection
from referees and the so called
"hard-men" played the game, Best
took it all on the chin and triumphed
regardless. When he tried one trick
too many and lost the ball he would
fight twice as hard to get it back.
Playing as a winger and sometimes
striker, he would inspire his team
and bring a crowd, home or away,
to its feet. The man from Belfast was born with a wonderful gift, however with this gift came the penalty of a wild destructive streak that would
always cast a shadow on his career.
The
Genius from Belfast
It was obvious to Sir Matt Busby from the outset that the skinny 16 year old from East Belfast's Cregagh Estate was something extra-special. United's Northern Ireland scout Bob Bishop famously sent a telegram Busby that read: "I believe I've found you a genius."
Best made his league debut for United in 1963 aged 17 and won an international cap before he turned 18. It wasn't long before he was a household name throughout Britain. George was perhaps the most important member of the great United team which won the League Championship twice in the 1960's.
By 1966, George Best superstar had arrived, especially after his magnificent performance in United's 5-1 thrashing of Benfica in Lisbon where he scored twice. Stepping off the plane the Portuguese press dubbed him "El Beatle".
The peak at 22
After five years of playing breathtaking football his place in history was secured in 1968 - United became the first English team to win the European Cup and Best scored a superb
solo goal in the final against Benfica. He later
claimed that having beaten round
the Benfica keeper he wanted to
take the ball up to the line stop
it, lie down on the ground and head
the ball over the line. Only a truly
special sort of player would even
have considered such an outrageous
act in a game of such importance.
In 1968 he was at his peak at only 22 years of age. That year he also deservedly won both the English
and European Footballer of the Year
awards. He was also the club's top scorer that
year with 28 goals, and for the
following four seasons. In 1970
he scored six goals in an 8-2 win
over Northampton in the FA Cup,
the most goals ever scored in a single
match by any United player.
Bestie goals captured on television, such as the
dazzling runs against Sheffield
United, Chelsea, West Ham and the
delicate lob against Spurs have
become all-time classics. And who
knows what other gems he scored
in an age before blanket television
coverage, great goals that now live
on only in the memories of those
lucky to have been there at the
time.
The
first pop-star footballer
Nicknamed "the fifth Beatle", he
was one of the most famous stars
in Britain during the 1960s. Best was
the first pop-star footballer, a
personification of youth
culture and the swinging sixties.
He had the good looks, the style and the girls went mad for him with Best getting 10,000 fan letters a week. This had never happened to a footballer before. Sadly it was this pop star image that proved his eventual downfall, for he began to live the lifestyle of a pop star, and not a footballer.
Best himself once said, "If I'd been ugly, you'd never have heard of Pele". The alcohol, women and wild nights spent partying would ultimately shorten his career and lead to severe health problems later on.
As he became a casualty of intense
media attention, George could not
concentrate on football without
being hounded everywhere by paparazzi.
He opened a night club and a number
of fashion boutiques which were
not a success, while a string of
famous actress/model girlfriend's
meant he was under incredible media
scrutiny.
The decline
Once Sir Matt retired in 1969 it was downhill for the Ulsterman as he became increasingly rebellious and erratic. Busby's successors, Frank O'Farrell and Tommy Docherty lacked his fatherly influence on Best. The United team was in decline and Best found it hard to take.
Seeing United beaten by teams they used to hammer a few years ago was painful and his love for football slowly diminished. He took solace in the bottle with drinking and partying taking over his entire life. He was now frequently missing training and failing to turn up for games.
In 1972 he announced his retirement at only 26 but was persuaded back by Docherty. The comeback was not a success and George left United for good on New Years Day 1974, his final game against QPR.
Post-United
Years
He
then played for numerous other clubs,
most notably Fulham (76-77) with the outlandish ex Manchester City star,
Rodney Marsh. Then there was Stockport
County, Hibernian and USA soccer
teams L.A. Aztecs (1976-78) Fort
Lauderdale Strikers (78-79) and
San Jose Earthquakes (80-81). Even
though not as fit as in
his prime, the incredible skills were
still apparent, no one could ever take
that away from him.
George finally ended
his football career with Bournemouth
in 1983, although went on to play
in many charity and friendly matches. In
the 1990's he established himself
as a successful sports commentator
with Sky Sports and after dinner
speaker. Though playing for many
clubs, it was still clear that
Manchester United were the only team
that truly remained close to Best's heart - he was a red through and through.
In 2000 Best's health reached rock bottom due to liver damage caused by his years of alcoholism. However, in July 2002 he had a successful liver transplant operation and made a full recovery. Personal problems continued to hound him as he divorced for a second time and was unable to beat the bottle.
On 1st October, 2005, George entered the Cromwell hospital with flu-like symptoms, later suffering a kidney infection. He was susceptible to infection because of medicines needed after the liver transplant and his condition deteriorated sharply in the next month when it spread to his lungs.
Ironcially his death was played out much the same way as his life, in a blaze of media coverage. Though he fought on for far longer than doctors ever expected, on 25th November, George Best lost his battle for life. In Belfast, Manchester and around the world, the whole of football was in mourning at the death of a legend.
A week later on 3rd December, the Belfast Boy came home to his native city for the final time. 100,000 people lined the streets and grounds of Stormont for the funeral of Northern Ireland's greatest sporting hero.
Conclusion
There
are many regrets for Best, such as
ending his career early and never
displaying his phenomenal skills
in the World Cup Finals. However,
when you look at the positive things
he brought to British football,
the moments of sheer breath-taking
excitement, the glory of 1968, the
lifestyle he led, George Best has
lived more than most of us ever
will.
Let us also not forget he played for ten seasons at United - Eric Cantona spent only five and few modern
day players will have a career as
long in the red shirt. George Best's life on the surface is the classic
story of the wayward genius who
had it all and supposedly threw
it all away.
However, pundits tend to overlook that it was this
wild self-destructive streak that
made him the player he was. Genius often goes hand in hand with some sort of eccentric quality, a quality
that gives that creative spark others do not possess.
Just a month before his death he said "People will remember me for my football" and that is ultimately what will last the test of time. George Best will live on as a football icon forever. Blessed with unbelievable skill, he was a genius the like of which may never come again. A player that took the game to a different level, a level which mere footballing mortals can only gaze up at, in wonder, awe and sheer exhilaration.
Best trivia
George lived in a house on Burren Way in the Cregagh Estate. A special plaque He was the eldest child of Dickie and Anne, Best was brother to Carol, Barbara, Julie, Grace and Ian.
He supported Wolverhampton Wanderers as a boy.
Best and fellow Ulsterman Eric McMordie were both offered trials by United. Best was offered a contract but McMordie returned home. He eventually played for Middlesbrough and Northern Ireland.
George "worked" for the Manchester Ship Canal Company as a clerk, because technically United were not allowed to sign him until he reached 17.
George opened two nightclubs in Manchester, in the late 1960s. One was named 'Oscar's' the other one called Slack Alice's. George also owned Fashion Boutique's, in partnership with Mike Summerbee of Manchester City.
In 1969 he built a futuristic house in near Bramhall, Cheshire, at a cost of £30,000. The modernist split-level design was encased in glass with a flat
roof and had all the latest hi-tec gadgets. He suffered fans continually besieging the house and eventually sold it after only three years.
In 1971 playing for Northern Ireland, he famously kicked the ball out of Gordon Banks hands during a goal kick and put the ball in the net only for the referee to disallow it. Two weeks later he tried it again against Pat Jennings and the goal was given.
In 2001 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Queen's University, Belfast and in 2002 he was made a Freeman of the Borough of Castlereagh (a local council in Belfast).
Best is buried at Roselawn cemetery beside his mother's grave, in the Castlereagh Hills just outside Belfast.
There are several street murals in Belfast depicting Best in his playing days. There is also a statue planned at Belfast City Hall and possibly the new Northern Ireland stadium will be named after him.
Belfast City Airport was renamed "George Best Belfast City Airport" in his honour on 22nd May 2006.
George Best features on the back of 1 million limited edition banknotes from the Northern Ireland based Ulster Bank released in November 2006.
Best quote: "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered"
Best quote: "I went missing quite alot...... Miss England, Miss Wales, Miss world....."
Best quote: "In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life."
Best quote on why he went to America: "I was driving through London when I saw an advert saying 'Drink Canada dry' "
Best quote on his liver transplant blood transfusion: "I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints - beating my previous record by 20 minutes."
Best quote: "Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world, that is the ultimate salute to my life."
Best quote: "If I had been born ugly, you would never have heard of Pelé"
Best quote: "When I die I'd like to be remembered as the greatest footballer of all time. When that day comes, they won't talk about the booze, the women, the fast cars. They'll talk about the football"
