| November 25th, 2005 08:10 AM |
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| Gazza |
farewell to the greatest...
Football legend George Best dies
Football legend George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59.
The ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had multiple organ failure after a lung infection he developed last week led to internal bleeding.
Doctors on Friday had said Best was unlikely to survive the day and all they could do was make him comfortable.
He had been in west London's Cromwell Hospital since being admitted with flu-like symptoms on 1 October, later suffering a kidney infection.
Best, a recovering alcoholic, needed drugs after a 2002 liver transplant that made him susceptible to infection.
The Belfast-born former footballer and television pundit had been prescribed medication to suppress the immune system and prevent his body rejecting the new liver.
Decline of the golden boy
At the time of his hospital admission in October, Best's agent Phil Hughes said his client had been "off the drink" before being admitted to the hospital.
Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the British and world game.
His heyday occurred during the 1960s, and he brought a pop star image to the game for the first time.
But the accompanying champagne and playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence for drink-driving and, eventually, his controversial liver transplant.
He helped Manchester United win the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968. His role in the team's success was recognised by his becoming the European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
Best made 466 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring a total of 178 goals.
He also won 37 caps - scoring nine goals - for Northern Ireland.
[Edited by Gazza] |
| November 25th, 2005 08:12 AM |
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| The Wick |
It is a very sad day indeed. I feel horrible. Bestie gave us a lot of joy. |
| November 25th, 2005 08:14 AM |
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| Jumacfly |
RIP to the fifth Beatles.
Best had the perfect name....what a great player.
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| November 25th, 2005 08:24 AM |
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| stewed & Keefed |
Very sad RIP George Best.
[Edited by stewed & Keefed] |
| November 25th, 2005 09:01 AM |
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| charlotte |
Excellent posts guys...this is one yank who followed the career of one of the all time greats since I was a young lad in the 60's... |
| November 25th, 2005 09:09 AM |
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| Zeeta |
Terrible.
Somewhat ironic on the day that changes in licensing laws in the UK mean 24 hour drinking.
Very sad situation indeed and a familiar one to me who has seen too many amazing people wasted in this way, to alcohol.
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| November 25th, 2005 09:39 AM |
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| BillyBoll |
A sad day. Farewell to another legend. |
| November 25th, 2005 11:26 AM |
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| Gazza |
Very sad atmosphere in my home city today
George's funeral will be held here next Friday. I intend being there.
Some nice archive footage on the BBC website here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_4470000/newsid_4471100/bb_rm_4471102.stm
[Edited by Gazza] |
| November 25th, 2005 12:28 PM |
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| Zeeta |
For those not in the know here's some quotes from him and about him:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4467360.stm
Best in quotes:
So George, where did it all go wrong?
The hotel bellboy who delivered champagne to Best's room and found him entertaining a scantily-clad Miss World on a bed covered with his winnings from the casino.
I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep.
George Best provides some dark humour about his addiction.
The only thing I have in common with George Best is that we come from the same place, play for the same club and were discovered by the same man
Norman Whiteside.
I think I've found you a genius.
The telegram sent to Manchester United by talent scout Bob Bishop, who discovered a 15-year-old Best playing for Cregagh Boys' Club.
I once said Gazza's IQ was less than his shirt number and he asked me: "What's an IQ?"
Best on Paul Gascoigne.
I'd give all the Champagne I've ever drunk to be playing alongside him in a big European match at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona impressed Best.
In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.
George Best - ever the joker.
I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints - beating my previous record by 20 minutes.
Best on the blood transfusion after his liver transplant.
He's not George Best, but then again, no-one is.
Commentator Clive Tyldesley.
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
Best on cash.
The closest I got to him was when we shook hands at the end of the game.
Northampton player Roy Fairfax, who had been marking Best when he scored six goals in an 8-2 FA Cup win for Man Utd in 1970.
That's what children do - throw food. That's not fighting. We were real men. We'd have chinned them.
Best gives his verdict on the infamous Battle of the Buffet between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Shellito was taken off suffering from twisted blood!
United team-mate Pat Crerand after Best had given Chelsea full-back Ken Shellito a torrid time.
He's been very, very lucky, an average player who came into the game when it was short of personalities.
Best on Kevin Keegan.
He was able to use either foot - sometimes he seemed to have six.
Sir Matt Busby on Best.
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| November 25th, 2005 01:17 PM |
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| Moonisup |
very sad. He was brave to show himself on some pics a few days ago in the sun (?)
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| November 25th, 2005 01:28 PM |
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| The Wick |
It's been a horrible day, especially when the news broke but watching the clips now is still very difficult. What I find amazing is when a survey was taken by United fans as the greatest United player ever, they chose Cantona. Cantona was great, but if anybody thinks that he was even half the player Bestie was, they are delusional. It was the ultimate act of treachery and it was after that vote that United soured on me. I only wish he could have played in a World Cup, then the world would have truly known his greatness. I think the picture you are referring to was in the News of the World. Does anyone have a shot of it? I know it's macabre, but I just want to see him before he passed on. Rest in peace, Georgie Best. |
| November 25th, 2005 02:25 PM |
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| Moonisup |
never knew he beat his wives up |
| November 25th, 2005 02:29 PM |
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| Gazza |
The "greatest ever" poll that had Cantona ahead of the likes of Best is a symptom of a generation of football fans who think that football began when Sky TV started covering every game in minute detail in 1992
Its a bit like reading greatest ever musician polls and seeing the likes of Oasis or Robbie Williams ahead of the Stones or Beatles - most people dont have that awareness of anything before their time (thankfully theres a few who still do..)
Some of the TV footage shown today has been incredible to watch - both in terms of making you smile and also miserable. |
| November 25th, 2005 05:01 PM |
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| The Wick |
Gazza what's the likelihood that the Stones thrown on a picture or say something about Bestie on Sunday? It's unlikely I think but you never know. |
| November 25th, 2005 06:58 PM |
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| Gazza |
quote:
The Wick wrote:
Gazza what's the likelihood that the Stones thrown on a picture or say something about Bestie on Sunday? It's unlikely I think but you never know.
No chance. Its in the US, after all. |
| November 26th, 2005 04:51 PM |
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| Ronnie Richards |
RIP
He really was the best.. |
| November 27th, 2005 01:40 AM |
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| The Wick |
They are estimating that around 500,000 people are going to attend the funeral. Are you going Gazza? |
| November 27th, 2005 10:59 AM |
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| blackandblue |
Patti Smith dedicated Beneath The Southern Cross to George last saturday in the Paradiso. |
| November 27th, 2005 08:03 PM |
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| The Volitan |
quote:
Jumacfly wrote:
RIP to the fifth Beatles
wtf? |
| November 28th, 2005 06:53 AM |
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| Honky Tonk Man |
What a sad, sad day it was. Although we all knew what was coming, it was still a shock to me and extreemly upsetting. I was watching Sky Sports at the time and they kept showing all those old wonderful clips of him in action. He was the greatest footballer never to play in the World Cup and maybe, just maybe, he was the greatest footballer the world has ever known.
I started following football twelve years ago and although I knew very little about anything pre-1993, I always knew about Bestie.
He was a truely astonishing talent. A complete, unique one and only.
Rest In Peace George Best |
| November 28th, 2005 08:55 AM |
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| Gazza |
quote:
The Wick wrote:
They are estimating that around 500,000 people are going to attend the funeral. Are you going Gazza?
yes, I will be
Cant imagine that many being there, to be honest. I think those type of estimates are hysterical. Tens of thousands, certainly (biggest funeral in the UK since Princess Diana, according to the News of the World) However the funeral has now been put back until Saturday to allow more people to attend. They're actually holding the public service at Stormont (the grounds of the Northern Ireland parliament) to enable as many people as possible to see it.
Bob Dylan actually made his own tribute in Dublin on Saturday night. Dylan NEVER does a second encore but did so on Saturday in what was his longest concert of the year. He didnt announce it as a 'tribute' but considering he's been in both England and Ireland when this story broke, his choice of closing song, the rarely played "Forever Young" wasnt a coincidence.
[Edited by Gazza] |
| November 28th, 2005 11:30 AM |
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| Gazza |
Minor Stones content in this article in The Independent - so much for the "Fifth Beatle" nickname...guess who Besty's favourite band REALLY was.....
The hypnotic majesty and madness of King George
By Ronald Atkin
Published: 27 November 2005
It was one of the finest goals that even George Best had scored: that deceptively casual embarrassment of a posse of defenders and the stunning finish, high into the net from the sharpest of angles. "Anyone got a time on that goal?" enquired a young man in the Old Trafford press box. "Never mind the time, son," said an older, wiser reporter. "Just write down the date."
The dates we should write down are 14 September 1963 when, at 17 and after just four months as a professional, Best made his first-team debut for Manchester United, and 29 April 1974 when, four months after George had walked out on the club for the last time, they were relegated. Best was 27.
Before being driven from the pinnacle by demons, first and foremost drink, he scored 137 goals in 361 League games for United, 179 in the 466 matches he played for them. And this from a winger denied the normal ration of tap-ins which are the accepted bonus of specialist strikers. "George nearly always had to beat men to score," recalled Sir Alex Ferguson, who insisted Best's astonishing flexibility was what not only wrecked defences but kept him away from being injured more frequently.
What Best was not nearly so nimble at was the avoidance of self-inflicted damage to career and health. By the time a suitable donor had been found at the end of July 2002 to transplant his wrecked liver for a normal one, this founder-member of the last-chance saloon could no longer, at the age of 56, walk a hundred yards without having to sit down and rest, the outcome of dedication to conviviality which escalated into disease.
Best was, in the opinion of those who should know, unique in the British game. Sir Alex claims he was "the greatest talent our football ever produced". Unique was the description of Sir Matt Busby, whose later years in management were plagued by the man's misbehaviour.
"George was gifted with more individual ability than I had ever seen in a player," said Busby. "When you remember great names like Matthews, Finney and Mannion, I can't think of one who took the ball so close to an opponent to beat him with it as Best did." Danny Blanchflower agreed, describing George as "a master of control and manipulation who had ice in his veins, warmth in his heart and timing and balance in his feet".
For a while, those feet followed a rugby ball when the Belfast-born Best, the oldest of five children, delighted his parents by passing his 11-plus and winning a scholarship to the local grammar school, Grosvenor High. But, like many of his later ones, it was a move doomed to fail. For one thing, rugby was Grosvenor's chosen sport and though George shone he remained besotted by football. And then, in his bright school blazer, the Protestant Best's journey home took him through a Catholic enclave. Soon, the only thing George played at Grosvenor was truant. The only place he was ever present, a football pitch, led this scraggy youth with a body derided as "a disaster area" towards a professional career.
In July 1961, aged 15, Best and another Irish lad, Eric McMordie, were summoned to Old Trafford for a two-week trial. At the council house of Mary Fullaway which was to be, on and off, his home for most of a decade, the widow recalled: "I wanted to sit him down and fill him full of meat and potatoes. He was so thin, so tiny. He looked more like an apprentice jockey than a footballer. I didn't give him a hope."
Best, whose appetite at this innocent time of his life extended to nothing more sinister or damaging than sweets, ginger cake and horror comics, grew stronger and taller until that League debut against West Bromwich. Then it was back into the reserves and an expanding leisure-time liking for snooker halls and lager. Already, soft drinks were a thing of the past.
Best's second call-up, against Burnley at Christmas 1963, brought his first goal, a 5-1 win and a regular place in Busby's new-look United. The lad had lift-off. The following April came an international debut for Northern Ireland against Wales; in 1965 United won their first League championship in eight years and a place in the European Cup. Best scored twice in the first 10 minutes against Benfica in Lisbon, with United winning 5-1 and George hailed by the ecstatic Portuguese as "El Beatle".
Notwithstanding his personal preference for the Rolling Stones, Best ascended readily enough to the role of football's first pop star. But there was more to George, or Georgie as he was becoming known, than fan adoration.
This shy young man, who preferred to take the bus from digs to training ground rather than accept the lift proffered by his manager, Busby, had, in the words of Arthur Hopcraft's benchmark book, The Football Man "brought back the verb 'to dribble' to the sportwriter's vocabulary".
In 1967 United were League champions again and the following season became the first English team to win the European Cup. Best scored as Benfica were again beaten, this time 4-1 at Wembley. He went on to become England's, and Europe's, footballer of the year and marked it with a less salubrious "award", his first drink-driving conviction.
Even Mrs Richard Burton, aka Elizabeth Taylor, got involved. "Fame came when he was so young," she sympathised. "God knows, Richard and I have been through some pressure and we've survived. If he can 'use' his problems it will make him stronger."
Some hope. It was the alcohol habit which grew stronger. Best admitted turning up for training under the influence: "Ten in the morning and I'd be drunk." Following rows with his new manager, Tommy Docherty, he announced an intention to quit football. Docherty helped Best on his way with the comment that things might have turned out differently if George had been able to pass nightclubs the way he passed the ball.
The only manner Best matched his escalating drink problem was the frequency with which he retired, returned and changed clubs. There were spells with Stockport, Fulham, Hibernian, Cork and Bournemouth, as well as two attempts to prolong his career in North American soccer. While in the United States, Best married Angie Macdonald James in 1978 and became a father (to Calum) in 1981 before that marriage ended in 1986.
Having finally stopped playing in 1983, Best was unable to stop running into trouble and within a year found himself serving a two-month prison sentence after failure to appear in court on a drink-driving charge led to violence when police called to arrest him.
A spell at Alcoholics Anonymous, the early death of his mother through drink, the sewing of anti-alcohol pellets into his stomach, nothing seemed to work. Not even a second marriage in 1995 to a 23-year-old, Alex Pursey, a second liver or a job in TV punditry could stem the spiral as George relentlessly went about destroying his marriages and his internal organs.
Perhaps the most impressive of George Best's skills was that he managed for a while to bestride the chasm between genius and disaster. He was, beyond argument, in the vanguard of football's greatest. My colleague John Roberts put it perfectly, once writing of Kevin Keegan: "He wasn't fit to lace George Best's drinks."
Six of the best: The games that will live longest in the memory
30 SEPTEMBER 1964: CHELSEA 0 MAN UTD 2
It was 1964 and London was beginning to swing, so Stamford Bridge was an appropriate venue on the day that the man himself says "it all began". The 18-year-old Best captured all the headlines after 61,000 home supporters applauded him off following a mesmerising display.
9 MARCH 1966: BENFICA 1 MAN UTD 5
The game that brought him international prominence and the nickname "El Beatle" was a European Cup second leg. "I told them to play it tight and George just went out and destroyed them," said Matt Busby. With two goals in the first 12 minutes. As history shows, he wasn't finished with Benfica.
21 OCTOBER 1967: N IRELAND 1 SCOTLAND 0
Having beaten England's world champions at Wembley, Scotland found themselves on the wrong end of George's finest performance for his country. Defying a boggy pitch with his dribbling, he tormented poor Tommy Gemmell and the Scottish defence.
29 MAY 1968: MAN UTD 4 BENFICA 1 (aet)
Ten years on from Munich, the European Cup final was really Busby's night and Bobby Charlton's. But after a disappointing 90 minutes, George brought the game to life with a dribble round the goalkeeper to score his most famous goal.
7 FEBRUARY 1970: NORTHAMPTON 2 MAN UTD 8
For a winger, Best's scoring rate was phenomenal. In this FA Cup fifth-round tie he bagged a double hat-trick in his first game back after a long suspension - incurred for knocking the ball out of the referee's hands.
4 SEPTEMBER 1976: FULHAM 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 0
Along with Rodney Marsh, Best joined Bobby Moore at friendly Fulham and galvanised the whole club, scoring the only goal here after 70 seconds of his debut in front of a crowd four times the average. A last hurrah.
Steve Tongue
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| November 28th, 2005 11:40 AM |
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| charlotte |
Thanks G... |
| November 28th, 2005 12:09 PM |
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| Joey |
R.I.P. Mr. Best
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| November 28th, 2005 04:33 PM |
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| Gazza |
quote:
Zeeta wrote:
Best in quotes:
Zeeta, I think one of my favourites was Besty's reported reaction when he was done for drink-driving
"well, I suppose thats the knighthood fucked!" |
| November 28th, 2005 09:54 PM |
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| The Wick |
Gazza I remember listening to a late night show on Radio 1 I think ages ago where Bestie went through his favorite records, and he played three Stones songs out of about 10 or 12 songs and was raving about them all night. I really thought someone had just put me in heaven that night. I was slightly dissapointed the Stones didn't mention anything. Nothing big, but a shout would have been nice, especially considering Lizzie Jagger and Calum Best's public trysts.
Anyway, for anyone interested, here's a touch of real class : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/photo_galleries/4476228.stm click on # 12. This is compared to the fucking knobs from Liverpool and Leeds who were booing during the minutes silence. When it comes to Italian football, I will always be supporting Roma from now on. |
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