GEORGE Was The BEST

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GEORGE BEST WAS AS MUCH AN ICON OF THE SIXTIES AS JOHN LENNON, RUDOLPH NUREYEV AND MUHAMMED ALI. HE WAS A GENIUS OF A SPORTSMAN, AN ATOMIC SPIRIT, A FLAWED BUT PRECIOUS GEM OF A MAN. kk :slight_smile:

LONDON, Nov 26 - From the ordinary football fan to Argentine great Diego Maradona, the tributes to George Best were unanimous in their appraisal of a man whose death has left a huge void in the football world.
Fans the length and breadth of Britain were preparing fitting tributes to the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend who died on Friday after weeks of a long illness brought on by his addiction to alcohol.
Most referees in the English Premiership were told to conduct a minute’s silence ahead of the league games, although some clubs - such as Celtic in Scotland - decided that was far too morose a way to see ‘Bestie’ off.
George Best was universally recognised as a player with a unique footballing talent and we feel it is appropriate to hold a minute's applause,'' a Celtic spokesperson said. Supporters can pay their respects to him and acknowledge how much enjoyment he gave to football fans all over the world.’’
Best may only have played as a professional until the relatively young age of 28, however the positive impression he left on players worldwide is something which is only now coming to the fore.
Maradona, who has led something of a maverick lifestyle himself both on and off the pitch, admitted that Best’s superb ball control and reading of the game as well as his ability to score goals proved an inspiration.
George inspired me when I was young. He was flamboyant and exciting and able to inspire his teammates,’’ the former Argentina striker told The Sun.
I actually think we were very similar players - dribblers who were able to create moments of magic.'' It speaks volumes that Best was able to inspire some of the best players the game has ever seen. But it is on his former fellow professionals, and perhaps even more so on the fans that Best left the biggest impression. The people of his native northern Ireland certainly regarded him as one of their own, and displayed their loyalty by braving the bitter cold to sign a book of condolences at Belfast City Hall. The last time the city saw such an outpouring of grief was when Princess Diana died. Taxi driver Robert McAllister explained: I heard his father on the news asking to be left alone so this book is a great way for people to pay their respects. He was a master. There was no-one like him.’’
Now, the Belfast Telegraph is leading a campaign to offer Best a fitting tribute in the shape of a statue outside City Hall.
The newspaper has also called for Belfast airport to be renamed in honour of the northern Irishman.
Despite a flamboyant lifestyle which left many to regret his slide into alcoholism before his career had been fulfilled, the short time that Best spent at the very top of his trade was enough for some.
His fellow former professionals were united in their grief, but perhaps Charlton manager Alan Curbishley summed it up best.
``I know there is a lot of publicity surrounding the reason why he was ill but us football people, who know what he was about and were lucky enough to see him play, know a little bit more.’’

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LONDON, Nov 25 - Football legend George Best died at the age of 59 in a west London hospital on Friday after losing his long battle against alcoholism.
The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger died at 12:55 pm (1255 GMT), a hospital spokesman said. He had multiple organ failure after developing a lung infection last week that led to internal bleeding.
After a long and very valiant fight Mr George Best died this afternoon in the intensive care unit at Cromwell Hospital,'' a spokesman said in a statement. The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best’s family at this time.’’
Ranked alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as one of the great figures in the beautiful game, Best was regarded as the first pop-star'' footballer, but his party-going lifestyle finally caught up with him. His family made an emotional statement outside the hospital, read out by Best's sister Barbara McNarry. As you can imagine this is a very difficult time so you will understand if we are a bit emotional,’’ she said, fighting back the tears.
I would like to say on behalf of the family, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported George and us through this traumatic time. To the thousands upon thousands of people who have sent cards and emails, we have taken great comfort from them.’’
Best’s son Calum, 24, said: Not only have I lost my dad but we've all lost a wonderful man.'' The player's father Dickie, 87, asked that the family be allowed to grieve in peace. Best, whose battle with alcoholism led to a liver transplant in 2002, was taken to hospital on October 1 with an infection thought to be linked to immuno-suppressant drugs used to help prevent his body rejecting the new organ. His health deteriorated rapidly at the end of October when he developed a kidney infection. He had been making daily progress until last week when he suffered a severe setback, developing a lung infection. Best will be buried in his home city, next to his mother Ann in the Roselawn cemetery in the Castlereagh hills above east Belfast, his agent Phil Hughes said. It will definitely be in Belfast, that’s where George told me he always wanted it,’’ Hughes said.
When the subject came up, his father Dickie said to me he would like to take him home to Belfast.'' Best's doctors warned Thursday he was entering his final hours after his internal organs failed beyond recovery. He died in intensive care with doctors saying they could do nothing more for him. Friends and admirers paid emotional tributes to Best as fans left flowers, scarves, team shirts and farewell messages outside the hospital, while newspapers reminisced about Best's highs on the pitch and lows at the mercy of alcohol. Among the tributes left near the hospital entrance was a United shirt bearing Best's name and the number seven, which he wore during his glory days. Best's second wife, Alex, said she would always miss the troubled star who she called the love of her life. The couple married in 1995 and divorced in 2004. George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy,’’ she said in a statement.
``I will always miss him.’’

Best’s talent for beating opponents with tricks, swerves, plus a devastating turn of pace earned him the respect and admiration of fans across the globe.
England legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who played alongside Best at United in the 1960s, said: Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same. He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend,’’ the United director said.
Speaking at a Commonwealth summit in Malta, British Prime Minster Tony Blair said: ``We all know George Best was one of the most naturally gifted footballers of his generation. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.’’
Best made his professional debut for United in 1963, aged 17, going on to help the club become the first English side to lift the European Cup in 1968. In the same year he was voted European Player of the Year.
He won 37 international caps before heavy drinking took its toll and he unexpectedly quit Manchester United for good at the age of 28.
Best’s alcoholism brought on a succession of health problems which led to the transplant, during which he nearly died. He was back on the booze within a year, however, despite having been told another drink could kill him.

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LONDON, Nov 25 - Sir Bobby Charlton led the tributes from within British football to soccer great George Best following the death of his former Manchester United team-mate here Friday.
Best, 59, died in a west London hospital following multiple organ failure after developing a lung infection last week that led to internal bleeding.
Although the end of his football career and later life were blighted by alcoholism, the Northern Ireland winger’s sublime football skills were, Charlton insisted, what would remain engraved in people’s memories.
Manchester United's glorious history has been created by people like George Best,'' said England legend Charlton, who together with Best and Scotland's Denis Law formed the so-called `holy trinity' at the heart of the successful United team of the 1960s. Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same,’’ Charlton, now a United director, said.
He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. It is a very sad day. Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person and my thoughts are now with his family,’’ added Charlton who won a European Cup winners’ medal alongside Best in 1968.
Meanwhile current Old Trafford manager Sir Alex Ferguson said of Best. He has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones. At this moment I just think of him as a player. It’s those moments we will relish,’’ he added.
Some people are just born with a craft and leave an indelible mark on people's lives. The thing I remember, apart from his talent, was his courage.'' Best's son Calum, 24, said: Not only have I lost my dad but we’ve all lost a wonderful man’’, while his father Dickie, 87, asked that the family be allowed to grieve in peace.
England captain David Beckham commented: As a Manchester United fan I always saw George Best as a football legend and it was a proud moment for me when I wore the same number seven shirt as him. He is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game and a great person as well.
``My thoughts are with his family at this time.’’

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson added: George Best was a wonderful player, one of the greatest. I remember watching him on TV in Sweden and I was always struck by what a fantastic player he was. His ability was an inspiration to everyone who loves football.'' Friday's edition of the London Evening Standard carried the simple front-page headline He’s Dead’’ while the Belfast Telegraph had a front-page photograph of the young Best above which ran a quote from him saying Remember me for my football''. After Best's specialist warned Thursday that Best was fading fast many of Friday's British national papers, in an unusual move, effectively treated him as if he was dead already with in-depth coverage across several news pages as well as special sports pull-outs The Sun, Britain's biggest-selling newspaper, had an action shot of Best playing for United in the early 1970s on its front page alongside the headline Best: The End’’.
Best scored 180 goals in 474 appearances for United from 1963-1974 and won league titles with the club in 1965 and 1967.
A club statement said: George Best was one of the greatest footballers of all time. Naturally athletic, tough, confident and blessed with genius, his career was one of the brightest stars of its generation. His gifts were legendary.
For the goals, the audacious dribbles and all the wonderful memories, Manchester United and its legions of fans worldwide will always be grateful. We feel a deep sense of loss but his spirit and his talent will live on forever.’’
Speaking at a Commonwealth summit in Malta, British Prime Minster Tony Blair said: We all know George Best was one of the most naturally gifted footballers of his generation. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family.'' Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern described Best as a football genius. George was one of my great sporting heroes,’’ he said in a statement.
Not only is he one of the finest footballers this island has ever produced but he is also one of the best players the world has ever seen.'' The English Premiership and Football League - which runs the three professionals divisions below the top tier - announced there would be a minute's silence in memory of Best at all of their matches this weekend, including Sunday's game between London side West Ham and United at Upton Park. Scottish giants Celtic said they would honour Best with a minute's applause before their league match against Dunfermline on Saturday. A club spokesperson said: George Best was universally recognised as a player with a unique footballing talent and we feel it is appropriate to hold a minute’s applause, when supporters can pay their respects to him and acknowledge how much enjoyment he gave to football fans all over the world.’’

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LONDON, Nov 25 - Football legend George Best, who died aged 59 in a west London hospital on Friday, was well known for his quips and asides, especially on his party-going lifestyle.
Here are some of the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger’s more memorable quotes:
– I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds (women) and fast cars -- the rest I just squandered.'' -- They say I slept with seven Miss Worlds. I didn’t – it was only four. I didn’t turn up for the other three.’’
– I used to go missing a lot ... Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World.'' -- I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints – beating my previous record by 20 minutes.’’ Best on a blood transfusion for his liver transplant.
– Perhaps he saw something I didn't'' Best on the bellboy who reputedly brought breakfast to his hotel room to see the drunken footballer in bed with the then-Miss World, a magnum of champagne and a large sum of cash won from the previous night of gambling. George, where did it all go wrong?’’ the bellboy is supposed to have exclaimed.
– I was born with a great gift and sometimes with that comes a destructive streak. Just as I wanted to outdo everyone when I played, I had to outdo everyone when we were out on the town.'' -- He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn’t score many goals. Apart from that he’s all right.’’ Best on England football captain David Beckham.
– ``Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world. That is the ultimate salute to my life.’’

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usually I hate soccer for what is around it in italy and europe, but wow, h was great to watch…it’s sad he left us

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One of Best’s best quotes “Its true I spent a lot of money on booze, women and fast cars, the rest I just squandered”!

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Another quote:

“If I was ugly the world would never have heard of Pele”.

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In his final years at Man U, Tommy Docherty, the then manager, was quoted as saying, “If george could pass bars and nightclubs like he could pass a ball, he would be frightening!”

Sums up how good he could’ve been…

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george was truely a great footballer,whether he was the best ever or not it dosen’t matter.as a footballer he was a great ambassador for the sport but outside the sport he was totally the opposite.

my advice would be “keep your feet on the ground”

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Tommy Docherty is one of the funniest men in sport … a a great man for one liners.

“I’ve always said there’s a place for the press, but they haven’t dug it yet”

“Elton John decided he wanted to rename Watford and call it Queen of the South”

“They offered me a handshake of €10,000 to settle amicably. I told them that they would have to be a lot more amicable than that.”

“To the Scots, football is a lovely, incurable disease”

“Football management these days is like nuclear war. No winners, just survivors”

My Favorite …

“Jimmy Hill [a much derided English football commentator] is to football what King Herod was to babysitting”