George Best 1946 – 2005

During the heyday of George Best’s footballing career in the 1960’s the Manchester United star was one of the most recognized people in the world. George, with his fashionably long hair and Fifth Beatle image, had genuine star quality both on and off the football pitch. If his International career had been with a more prominent team than his native Northern Ireland his breathtaking skills would have been displayed on the major world stage they deserved and his genius with the ball at his feet would be more widely recognized.

The Early Life of George Best

George was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the 22nd May 1946, the first of six children of Dickie and Anne Best. He attended Grosvenor High School and Lisnasharragh Secondary School. His local football club Glentoran, who he used to watch with his grandfather, considered signing him but ultimately rejected him because of his slight frame. The Manchester United talent scout Bob Bishop made a far better assessment of the 15 year old prodigy when he sent a telegram to the legendary United manager Matt Busby which read simply, “I’ve found you a genius.

The Manchester United Years

It was perfectly fitting that the most sensational player of his generation would have the greatest moments of his career in the famous red jersey of the most glamorous football club in the world, Manchester United. At the time George Best joined the Manchester United youth team in 1961 the club was still recovering from the Munich air disaster of 1958 where the plane carrying the team overshot the runway and crashed killing eight team members and injuring another two so badly they would never play again.

Best served his time in the youth side and eventually made his first team debut against West Bromwich Albion in 1963 at the age of 17. He played again on December 28 of the same year in a 5-1 victory over Burnley in which he scored his first goal. Matt Busby understood that this lightly built midfielder was something special despite his lack of stature and experience and the following season Best became a first team regular with 26 appearances and a further six goals to his credit.

George Best had the good fortune to be playing in a side worthy of his talents. The Manchester United attack partnered Best with talented Scotsman Denis Law, European Footballer of the Year 1964, and arguably the finest English striker of all time, Bobby Charlton, European Footballer of the Year, 1966 and World Cup winner in the same year.

In George’s second full season, 1965 United won the First Division title which qualified them to play in the European Cup the following year. It was on the European stage that Best produced some of his finest performances culminating in the memorable victory over the powerful Benfica side in 1968 when Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup. With the game tied a 1-1, the game had entered extra time when Best picked up a long clearance and burst through the Benfica defense. He calmly took the ball around the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into an empty net. United went on to win 4-1 but the turning point of the match was when George Best put them in the lead in the style those of us fortunate enough to see him play will always remember.

International Career

Best made 37 appearances as a Northern Ireland player scoring nine times but in comparison to the other footballing greats, George never got the chance to fully display his remarkable talents at the highest level. Northern Ireland is a relatively small footballing nation, and while it has produced many good players, even a few great ones they will never be able to compete against the major European and South American giants.

Drink, Demons and Decline

Sadly for George and the football world in general the 1967 / 1968 seasons were the pinnacle of his career. By the age of 27, when most footballers still have their best years ahead of them, Best parted company with Manchester United forever. He continued to play for a variety of clubs mostly in England and the USA and while the lightning pace had gone the skills remained and he was a major draw whenever he made an appearance. Drink and an excessive lifestyle were taking an increasing toll and would eventually lead to his death in 2005 following an earlier liver transplant.

His natural charisma never left him. During his later years he became a popular after dinner speaker. I had the privilege of watching him play twice at Old Trafford in his heyday in the late 60’s and almost 30 years later I saw him give a speech at a sportsman’s dinner.

Since his passing the Belfast City Airport has been renamed in his honor but his true memorial lies in the hearts of the millions of football fans throughout the world who recognize George Best as one of the greatest players of all time.

Rest in Peace George, we will never see your like again.

Sources
George Best Website
The Stretford End