George Best

This article is about the Northern Irish footballer. For other people named George Best or places and things named after him, seeGeorge Best (disambiguation).

Not to be confused withBest (Portuguese footballer).

George Best(22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professionalfootballerwho played as awinger,spending most of his club career atManchester United.A skillfuldribbler,he is considered one of the greatest players of all time,along with being considered one of the most talented to play.He was namedEuropean Footballer of the Yearin 1968 and came fifth in theFIFA Player of the Centuryvote. Best received plaudits for his playing style, which combined pace, skill, balance,feints,goalscoring and the ability to get past defenders. His style of play captured the public's imagination, and in 1999 he was on the six-man shortlist for the BBC'sSports Personality of the Century.He was an inaugural inductee into theEnglish Football Hall of Famein 2002.

George Best

Best in 1976
Personal information
Full name	George Best
Date of birth	(1946-05-22)22 May 1946
Place of birth	Belfast,Northern Ireland
Date of death	25 November 2005(2005-11-25)(aged 59)
Place of death	South Kensington,London, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Winger,attacking midfielder
Youth career
1960–1961	Cregagh Boys Club
1961–1963	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1963–1974	Manchester United	361	(137)
1974	Dunstable Town	0	(0)
1975	Stockport County	3	(2)
1975–1976	Cork Celtic	3	(0)
1976	Los Angeles Aztecs	23	(15)
1976–1977	Fulham	42	(8)
1977–1978	Los Angeles Aztecs	32	(12)
1978–1979	Fort Lauderdale Strikers	28	(6)
1979–1980	Hibernian	17	(3)
1980–1981	San Jose Earthquakes	56	(21)
1982–1983	AFC Bournemouth	5	(0)
1983	Brisbane Lions	4	(0)
1984	Tobermore United	1	(0)
Total		616	(204)
International career
1964–1977	Northern Ireland	37	(9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Born inBelfast,Best began his club career in England with Manchester United, with the scout who had spotted his talent at the age of 15 sending a telegram to managerMatt Busbywhich read: "I think I've found you a genius". After making his debut at age 17, he scored 179 goals in 470 appearances over 11 years and was the club'stop goalscorerin the league for five consecutive seasons.He won twoLeague titles,twoCharity Shieldsand theEuropean Cupwith the club.

In international football, Best wascapped37 times forNorthern Irelandbetween 1964 and 1977. A combination of the team's performance and his lack of fitness in 1982 meant that he never played in the finals of a major tournament. He considered his international career as being "recreational football", with the expectations placed on a smaller nation in Northern Ireland being much less than with his club. He is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have played at aWorld Cup.TheIrish Football Associationdescribed him as the "greatest player to ever pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland".

With his handsomeness, darkBeatlemop-top hair andplayboy lifestyle,Best became one of the first media celebrity footballers, earning the nickname "o Quinto Beatle"by Portuguese press reporters after a stand-out performance for Manchester United in Lisbon in March 1966. However, his extravagant lifestyle led to various personal problems, most notablyalcoholism,from which he suffered for the rest of his life. These issues affected him on and off the field, often causing controversy.Although conscious of his problems, he made light of them and was known for his intelligence and wit on the subject during periods of sobriety: "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars – the rest I just squandered".After football, he spent some time as afootball analyst,but his financial and health problems continued into his retirement. He died in 2005, aged 59, from complications from theimmunosuppressive drugshe needed to take after aliver transplantin 2002.

Early years and family

Best grew up on theCregaghestate, eastBelfast.The playing fields in the estate where he played football as a boy, Cregagh Green, is protected for community recreation in perpetuity as aFields in TrustActive Space.

George Best was the first child ofAnglo-Irishparents, Richard "Dickie" Best (1919–2008) and Anne Withers (1922–1978). He was born on 22 May 1946 and grew up inCregagh,eastBelfast.Best was raised in theFree Presbyterianfaith.His father was a member of theOrange Orderand as a boy George carried the strings of the banner in his local Cregagh lodge. In his autobiography, Best mentioned how important the Order was to his family.Best had four sisters, Carol, Barbara, Julie and Grace, and one brother, Ian Busby Best.

Best's mother Anne died from alcoholism-relatedcardiovascular diseasein 1978, at the age of 55.Best's father died on 16 April 2008, at the age of 88, in theUlster HospitalinDundonald,Northern Ireland.

In 1957, the academically gifted Best passed the11-plusand went toGrosvenor High School,but he soon played truant as the school specialised inrugby union.Best then moved to Lisnasharragh Secondary School, reuniting him with friends from primary school and allowing him to focus on football. He played for Cregagh Boys Club.He grew up supportingGlentoranandWolverhampton Wanderers.

Club career

Manchester United

At the age of 15 Best was discovered inBelfastbyManchester Unitedscout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United managerMatt Busbyread: "I think I've found you a genius."His local clubGlentoranhad previously rejected him for being "too small and light".Best was subsequently given a trial and signed up by United's chief scoutJoe Armstrong.His first time moving to the club, Best quickly became homesick and stayed for only two days before going back home to Northern Ireland.He returned to Manchester and spent two years as an amateur, as English clubs were not allowed to take Northern Irish players on as apprentices. He was given a job as an errand boy on theManchester Ship Canal,allowing him to train with the club twice a week.

Best made hisFirst Divisiondebut, aged 17, on 14 September 1963 againstWest Bromwich AlbionatOld Traffordin a 1–0 victory.He then dropped back into thereserves,before scoring his first goal for the first team in his second appearance in a 5–1 win overBurnleyon 28 December.ManagerMatt Busbythen kept Best in the team, and by the end of the1963–64season, he had made 26 appearances, scoring six goals. Manchester United finished second, four points behindLiverpool.

They reached thesemi-finalsof theFA Cup,where a defeat toWest Ham Unitedcost Best the chance to break a record. Inthe finalPreston North End'sHoward Kendallbecame the youngest ever player in aFA Cup Final– he shared the same birth date as Best.That same season, Best captained theManchester Unitedside that won the 1964FA Youth Cup,the sixth FA Youth Cup won under the management ofJimmy Murphy,and the first since the 1958Munich air disaster.

TheUnited Trinitystatue of Best (left),Denis Law(centre) andBobby Charlton(right) outsideOld Trafford

Rear view looking towards the stadium

Though opponents would often use rough play to try to stifle his technical ability, Busby ensured that "fierce, sometimes brutal" training sessions left Best well used to coping with tough challenges.In the1964–65season, his first full season as a first team regular, Best helped Manchester United to claim theleague title.A 1–0 victory atElland Roadproved decisive as the title race came down to goal average between the "Red Devils" andbitter rivalsLeeds United.Leeds managed to gain some measure of revenge though, by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage.Over the course of the campaign Best contributed 14 goals in 59 competitive games.He scored the opening goal of the1965 FA Charity Shieldat Old Trafford, which ended in a 2–2 draw withLiverpool.

The rising star of English football, Best was catapulted to superstar status at the age of 19, when he scored two goals in aEuropean Cupquarter-final match againstBenficaat theEstádio da Luzon 9 March 1966.His impressive stand-out display allied with his darkBeatlemop-top hair, the Portuguese media dubbed him "O Quinto Beatle" ( "thefifth Beatle"), and on the team's return to England, Best was photographed on the airport tarmac in his new sombrero with the headline," El Beatle ".His talent and showmanship made him a crowd and media favourite, and he went from being headline news in the back pages to the front pages.

Before the game, manager Matt Busby had told his wingers, Best and Connelly, to stay deep for the first 20 minutes. Keep it tight and quieten the crowd. But George Best was only 19, too young for such caution. All he heard was 'blah, blah, blah'. When the game started, he grabbed it by the scruff. 'Watch this, Eusebio. And Coluna, Simoes, Torres, Germano, Jose Augusto. I'm George Best, and this is how it's done.'

— 'El Beatle' arrives,Jon Carter for ESPN.

Other nicknames included the "Belfast Boy", and he was often referred to asGeorgie,orGeordiein his native Belfast.However United failed to win any major honours in the1965–66season, and Best was injured from 26 March onwards, with a twisted knee following a bad tackle from aPreston North Endplayer.United staff claimed it was light ligament damage, to keep Best on the field for the rest of the campaign.He had little faith in the United medical staff, and so he secretly saw Glentoran's physiotherapist, who readjusted his ligaments in a painful procedure.His last game of the season, his knee strapped-up, came on 13 April, and ended in a 2–0 defeat toPartizan BelgradeatPartizan Stadium.

The1966–67season was again successful, as Manchester United claimed the league title by four points. Best stated that "if the championship was decided on home games we would win it every season. This time our away games made the difference. We got into the right frame of mind."An ever-present all season long, he scored 10 goals in 45 games. He then helped the "Red Devils" to share theCharity Shieldwith a3–3 drawwith FA Cup winnersTottenham Hotspur.It was the first game to be broadcastin colouron British television.

Best scored twice againstrivalsLiverpoolin a 2–0 win atAnfield,and claimed a hat-trick overNewcastle Unitedin a 6–0 home win on the penultimate league game of the season. However a home defeat to hatedlocal rivalsManchester Cityproved costly, as City claimed the league title with a two-point lead over United. Yet the1967–68season was remembered by United fans for theEuropean Cupwin. After disposing ofMalteseHibernians,United advanced past YugoslavianSarajevowith a 2–1 home win – Best assistedJohn Astonfor the first and scored the second himself, and was described byGeoffrey GreenofThe Timesas "the centrepiece of the chessboard... a player full of fantasy; a player who lent magic to what might have been whimsy".

In the quarter-finals, United advanced pastPolishclubGórnik Zabrze2–1 on aggregate, having held on to their aggregate lead in freezing temperatures in front of 105,000 atSilesian Stadium.Despite losing the away tie 1–0, Best described the defeat as "one of our best-ever performances, given all the unwelcome circumstances".Facing six times championsReal Madridin the semi-finals, Best scored the only goal of the home fixture with a 15-yard strike thatAlex Stepneydescribed as one of Best's finest goals.In the tie at theBernabéu,Best was marked effectively byManuel Sanchís Martínez,but on the one time Best got the better of him he made a telling passtoBill Foulkes,who calmly found the net,to level the game at 3–3 and to win the aggregate tie 4–3.

Days after returning to England, as the First Division's joint top-scorer, level on 28 goals withSouthampton'sRon Davies,Best was presented with theFWA Footballer of the Yearaward, becoming the youngest ever recipient.Facing United in theEuropean Cup Finalat Wembley were Benfica. While his teammates rested, Best found "a novel way to relax" before the big game by sleeping with "a particular young lady called Sue".The game went into extra-time, and just three minutes into extra-time Best went on a mazy run and beat goalkeeperJosé Henriquewith a dummy, before rolling the ball into the net. Two further goals fromBrian KiddandBobby Charltonsettled the tie at 4–1.The victory was not only the pinnacle of Best's career, but arguably Manchester United's greatest achievement, considering theMunich air disasterhad wiped out most of theBusby Babesjust ten years previously.Best also won theBallon d'Orin1968after receiving more votes than Bobby Charlton,Dragan DžajićandFranz Beckenbauer.This meant that he had won the three major honours in club football at the age of just 22, the league title, European Cup, and European Player of the Year award. After this, his steady decline began.

"It seems impossible to hurt him. All manner of men have tried to intimidate him. Best merely glides along, riding tackles and brushing giants aside like leaves."

—Joe Mercer,Manchester City manager, 1969.

The "Holy Trinity"of Best,Lawand Charlton were still as effective as ever in the1968–69campaign. Although, it became obvious that the club's new recruits were not up to scratch as United dropped to 11th in the league before Busby announced his retirement. Best later said that "I increasingly had the feeling that I was carrying the team at times on the pitch."He scored 22 goals in 55 games, though only he and Denis Law scored more than six league goals. In theIntercontinental Cup,fans and players alike looked forward to seeing United take on Argentine oppositionEstudiantes de La Plataover the course oftwo legs.However Best said "no one tackled harder or dirtier than this Argentinian team" as a 1–0 defeat at theEstadio Camilo Cicherowas followed by a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford.In the home tie, Best was kicked and spat on by José Hugo Medina, and both players were sent off after Best reacted with a punch.Despite their poor league form, United managed to reach the semi-finals of the European Cup (they had a relatively easy run in getting pastIreland'sWaterford United,Belgium'sAnderlecht,andAustria'sRapid Wien) where they were knocked out 2–1 on aggregate byA.C. Milanfollowing a 2–0 defeat at theSan Siro;Milan goalkeeperFabio Cudiciniwas the hero after keeping United to only one goal at Old Trafford.

"It's been a joke on the circuit ever since. You know, I'm on one side of the street, George Best is on the other. He nods to me and I dive under a bus."

— Northampton goalkeeperKim Bookon the jibes he has faced since being fooled by Best'sfeintin a 1970 FA Cup game against Manchester United.Best’s six goal performance in the game was votedNo.26 on Channel 4’s list of the100 Greatest Sporting Moments.

United improved slightly under new bossWilf McGuinness,but still only managed an eighth-place finish in the1969–70season. Best hit 23 goals, including anFA Cuprecord six goals in an 8–2 win overNorthampton Townin a mud-bath at theCounty Groundon 7 February 1970.Best's sixth goal saw him go one on one with Northampton goalkeeperKim Book.Best made afeintto go right which put Book on his backside, before he went left and walked the ball into the net.Book states:

"I remember thinking George was going to go one way, but he dropped his shoulder and went the other, and by then I was already on the deck. He was just too good for me."

Best's six goal performance earned him an invitation to No10 Downing Streetfrom UK Prime MinisterHarold Wilson,who had also regularly written fan letters to him.In 2002 the British public voted Best's record breaking performance No. 26 in the list of the100 Greatest Sporting Moments.Busby returned as manager in December 1970, though the1970–71season also ended without a trophy. Best began to get into trouble with his discipline: he was fined bythe Football Associationfor receiving three bookings for misconduct, and he was suspended by United for two weeks after missing his train toStamford Bridgeso as to spend a weekend with actressSinéad Cusack.

New managerFrank O'Farrellled United to an 8th-place finish in1971–72.Highlights for Best included hat-tricks againstWest Ham UnitedandSouthampton,as well as a goal againstSheffield Unitedthat came after he beat four defenders in a mazy run.However, he was also sent off againstChelsea,was the subject of death threats, and failed to turn up for training for a whole week in January as he instead spent his time withMiss Great Britain1971, Carolyn Moore.On 17 November, he was the subject ofEamonn Andrews's biographical television showThis Is Your Lifewhen he was surprised at a central London restaurant.He would be the subject for a second time in 2003 whenMichael Aspelsurprised him atTeddington Studios.With 27 goals in 54 appearances, Best finished as theclub's top-scorerfor the sixth – and final – consecutive season. Best then announced his retirement from football, but nevertheless turned up for pre-season training, and continued to play.

George Best memorabilia at theManchester Unitedmuseum atOld Trafford

United's decline continued in the1972–73season, as Best was part of the 'old guard clique' that barely talked to the newer, less talented players.Frustrated with the club's decline, Best went missing in December to party at the London nightclubs.He was suspended, and transfer-listed at a value of £300,000.After O'Farrell was replaced as manager byTommy Docherty,Best announced his retirement for a second time.He resumed training on 27 April.

Best's last competitive game for the club was on 1 January 1974 againstQueens Park RangersatLoftus Road,which United lost 3–0.He failed to turn up for training three days later and was dropped by Docherty, though he claimed Docherty was deceitful with him.Best was arrested and charged with stealing a fur coat, passport, and cheque book fromMarjorie Wallace,but was later cleared of all charges.United went on to suffer relegation into theSecond Divisionin1973–74.

Best played at United when shirt numbers were assigned to positions, and not the player. When Best played at right wing, as he famously did during the later stages of the 1966 and 1968 European Cups, he donned the number 7. As a left winger, where he played exclusively in his debut season and nearly all of the 1971–72 campaign, he wore the number 11. Best wore the number 8 shirt at inside right on occasion throughout the 1960s, but for more than half of his matches during 1970–71. He was playing at inside left (wearing the number 10) in 1972 when he famously walked out on United the first time but was back in the number 11 for the autumn of 1973 before leaving for good. Best even wore the number 9 jersey once for United, withBobby Charltoninjured, on 22 March 1969 at Old Trafford, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win overSheffield Wednesday.In total Best made 474 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions from 1963 to 1974, and scored 181 goals. Over the next decade he went into an increasingly rapid decline, drifting between several clubs, including spells in South Africa, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, Scotland, and Australia.

Later years

Best (middle) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, October 1976

Playing only five competitive matches forJewish Guildin South Africa, Best endured criticism for missing several training sessions. During his short time there, he was the main draw attracting thousands of spectators to the matches.

In 1975, Best played three matches forStockport Countyin theFourth Division.He had a brief spell atCork Celticfrom December 1975 to January 1976. He made hisLeague of Irelanddebut againstDrogheda UnitedatFlower Lodgeon 28 December. He played only three league games, the others againstBohemiansandShelbourne,but despite attracting big crowds he failed to score or impress. Being on a rolling contract with Cork his failure to show for a game saw him being dropped and subsequently leaving the club.

He had a brief resurgence in form withSecond DivisionclubFulhamfrom1976–78,showing that, although he had lost some of his pace, he retained his skills. His time with the "Cottagers" is particularly remembered for a match againstHereford Unitedon 25 September 1976 in which he jokingly tackled his own teammate, and old drinking mate,Rodney Marsh.Best and Marsh were drawn to the club by the presence of England World Cup winning captainBobby Moore,and they were involved in exuberantgoal celebrations.

Best with theLos Angeles Aztecscirca 1978

Best played for three clubs in the United States:Los Angeles Aztecs,Fort Lauderdale Strikersand laterSan Jose Earthquakes;he also played for theDetroit Expresson a European tour. Best was a success on the field, scoring 15 goals in 24 games in his first season with the Aztecs and named as the NASL's best midfielder in his second.He and manager Ken Adam opened "Bestie's Beach Club" (now called "The Underground" after the London subway system) inHermosa Beach,Californiain the 1970s, and continued to operate it until the 1990s.

Best caused a stir when he returned to the UK to play for the Scottish clubHibernian.The club was suffering a decline in fortunes and was heading forrelegationfrom thePremier Division,before Best was signed on a "pay per play" basis after the club chairman, Tom Hart, received a tip-off from anEdinburgh Evening Newsreporter that he was available.Even though Best failed to save Hibs from relegation, gates increased dramatically, and the attendance quadrupled for his first match atEaster Road.One infamous incident saw Best initially sacked by Hibs after he went on a massive drinking session with theFrench rugby team,who were inEdinburghto playScotland.He was brought back a week later. In August 1982, he played 20 minutes forScone Thistleagainst Scone Amateurs; the appearance fee he received helped to pay off an income tax bill.

Best inHong Kongin 1982

He returned to the US to play for the San Jose Earthquakes in what was officially described as a "loan", though he only managed a handful of appearances for Hibs in theFirst Divisionin thefollowing season.He returned one last time to Easter Road in 1984, forJackie McNamara'stestimonial matchagainstNewcastle United.In his third season in the States, Best scored once in 12 appearances. His moves to Fort Lauderdale and San Jose were also unhappy, as his off-field demons began to take control of his life again. After failing to agree terms withBolton Wanderersin 1981, he was invited as a guest player and played three matches for twoHong Kong First Divisionteams (Sea BeeandRangers) in 1982. At HK Rangers he played alongside his former Northern Ireland teammateDerek Spence.While in Hong Kong, Best also played darts for a team called Presstuds, made up of a combination of professional footballers and sports journalists.

In late 1982,AFC BournemouthmanagerDon Megsonsigned the 36-year-old Best for theThird Divisionside, and he remained there until the end of the1982–83season, when he retired from football at the age of 37. Best played in a friendly forNewry TownagainstShamrock Roversin August 1983,before ending his professional career exactly 20 years after joining Manchester United with a brief four-match stint playing for theBrisbane Lionsin theAustralian National Soccer Leagueduring the1983 season.He also was a guest player for an exhibition match between Dee Why Football Club and Manly Warringah held on 27 July 1983; Dee Why won the match 2–1, with Best having scored the winning goal.On 29 October 1984, Best played as a special guest forReadingagainst theNew Zealand national teamin a friendly game, alongside 1966 World Cup winnerMartin Peters.Reading were defeated 2–1.

On 8 August 1988, a testimonial match was held for Best atWindsor Park.Among the crowd were SirMatt Busby,Jimmy Murphy,and Bob Bishop, the scout who discovered Best, while those playing includedOsvaldo Ardiles,Johan Neeskens,Pat JenningsandLiam Brady.Best scored twice, one goal from outside the box, the other from the penalty spot.

International career

"George Best was one of the most talented players of all time and probably the best footballer who never made it to a major world final."

— 1974 World Cup winning West Germany captainFranz Beckenbaueron Best not playing at aWorld Cup.

Best was capped 37 times forNorthern Ireland,scoring nine goals.Of his nine international goals, four were scored againstCyprusand one each againstAlbania,England,Scotland,SwitzerlandandTurkey.Largely surrounded by teammates of lesser ability with Northern Ireland than with his club and lower expectations as a result, Best considered his international career as being "recreational football".He is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have played at aWorld Cup,and like his namesake, Liberia starGeorge Weah,he was “hamstrung in World Cup terms by hailing from a global minnow”.

Best with Northern Ireland in 1976

On 15 May 1971, Best scored possibly the most famous "goal" of his career atWindsor Parkin Belfast against England.AsGordon Banks,the English goalkeeper, released the ball in the air in order to kick the ball downfield, Best managed to kick the ball first, which sent the ball high over their heads and heading towards the open goal.Best outpaced Banks and headed the ball into the empty goal, but the goal was disallowed by referee Alistair Mackenzie.

Best continued to be selected for Northern Ireland throughout the 1970s, despite his fluctuating form and off field problems. Dutch captainJohan Cruyffcommented: "What he [Best] had was unique, you can't coach it".

Best was considered briefly by managerBilly Binghamfor the1982 World Cup,but at the age of 35, with his football skills dulled by age and drink (and five years having passed since his last cap), he was not selected for the Northern Ireland squad.A proponent of a United Ireland football team, in 2005 Best stated: "I've always thought that at any given time both theRepublicand Northern Ireland have had some great world class players. I still hope that in my lifetime it happens. "

Style of play

Mural of George Best in Belfast in his dribbling pose

A highly skilful winger, considered by several pundits to be one of the greatestdribblersin the history of the sport, Best received plaudits for his playing style, which combined pace, skill, balance,feints,two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to get past defenders.Pelédeclared that Best was the greatest footballer he'd ever seen.Recalling Best's career and style of play, sports writerPatrick Barclaysaid: "In terms of ability he was the world's best footballer of all time. He could do almost anything – technically, speed, complete mastery of not only the ball but his own body. You could saw his legs away and he still wouldn't fall because his balance was uncanny, almost supernatural. Heading ability, passing ability, I mean it goes without saying the dribbling – he could beat anybody in any way he chose. For fun he'd play a one-two off the opponent's shins."

"People were transfixed, bewitched and delighted by the impish, cheeky skills of Best that invariably brought a smile to all except the defenders who had to face him."

—BBCjournalist John May in an article titled, "Was Georgie the Best?".

Although Best was mostly renowned for his dribbling skills, he also drew praise for his ability as a creator; in regard to this ability,Daily Telegraphreader Tony Dove commented: "I only had the opportunity to see George play once in person – Man U played a tour game inAuckland,New Zealand, late in the 60s. His brilliance was simply dazzling – player after player from the New Zealand national team queued up to try to tackle him and he gave them all dancing lessons. I clearly remember one run, starting almost from the goal-line, from a roll-out by Stepney, when he evaded every player in the NZ team, one after the other, until he reached the opposite end of the pitch and produced a perfectly floated centre for Charlton's head. His grace, agility and ball skills were only eclipsed by his unselfish passing – many love to remark on his goal scoring but he was prodigious as the set-up man. On the field you couldn't ask for a better football role-model. Let the man pass with what dignity remains to him. Remember him at his best. "

In an interview, Manchester United'sAlex Stepneysaid, "Best would knock the ball on to the goalkeeper's shin, who would be rushing towards this feet to close down the angle, and the ball would bounce back to him and he would score. No one has been able to emulate that in football. Not only did he do it in training but he did it againstManchester United'sarch rivalsLiverpoolatAnfield."

Personal life

During his early years atOld Trafford,Best was a shy teenager who passed his free time insnooker halls.However, he later became known for his long hair, good looks and extravagant celebrity lifestyle, and appeared onTop of the Popsin 1965.He had a brief relationship with actressSinéad Cusackin 1971.

He opened a nightclub calledSlack Aliceon Bootle Street inManchesterin 1973 and owned restaurants in the city includingOscars,on the site of the old Waldorf Hotel.He also owned fashion boutiques, in partnership with Manchester City playerMike Summerbee.Best's cousin, Gary Reid, a member of theUlster Defence Association,was killed in 1974 during an episode of serious rioting in east Belfast.

"In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol—it was the worst 20 minutes of my life."

— Best quips on his lifestyle.

Best marriedAngela MacDonald-Janeson 24 January 1978 at Candlelight Wedding Chapel inLas Vegas,having met her in the United States when Best was playing for theLos Angeles Aztecsin 1976. Their son,Calum,was born in 1981. They separated in 1982 anddivorcedin 1986.

"If I had to choose between dribbling past five players and scoring from 40 yards atAnfieldor shagging Miss World, it'd be a hard choice. Thankfully, I've done both. "

— Best on life on and off the field.

He married Alex Pursey in 1995 inKensington and Chelsea,London.They divorced in 2004with no children. In 2004, she alleged that Best wasviolenttowards her at times during their marriage, an issue that was covered in Best's authorised 1998biographyBestiein which Alex claimed that Best punched her in the face on more than one occasion.Earlier in the book it is revealed that he struck another of his girlfriends at least once and was arrested and charged withassaulton a waitress, Stevie Sloniecka, in November 1972, when he fractured her nose in Reuben's nightclub, Manchester.He was successfully defended when the case reached court in January 1973 by barristerGeorge CarmanQC, a close drinking companion of Best, as acknowledged in his book,Scoring at Half Time.

Although the football pitch was his arena, Best was essentially a pop star—young, stylish, strikingly beautiful, possessed of a creative confidence that bordered on arrogance, and worshipped by young men and women alike. LikeThe BeatlesandThe Rolling Stones,he epitomised the first, sudden, dynamic emergence of a postwar youth culture that, for better or worse, would help define the rest of the century. Long beforeBeckham,he was Britain's first footballer as popular icon.

— Sean O'Hagan inThe Guardianon Best’scelebritystatus in the 1960s.

At the peak of his career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Best advertisedCookstownsausages on television with the phrase "the Best family sausages".In 2007 a memorial plaque was placed outside the pork factory in theCounty Tyronetown.In the early 1970s, Best also advertised eggs, under the campaign "E for B and Georgie Best," both in print and on TV, where "E for B" was short for "Eggs for Breakfast."

Best had acameoas himself in the 1971 British comedy filmPercy.In 1984, he made a fitness album withMary StävincalledShape Up and Dance.The Farm's video for their 1992 cover version ofThe Human League's "Don't You Want Me"featured Best mouthing the chorus.A biographical film entitledBestwas released in May 2000, withJohn Lynchportraying George Best. Indie rock bandThe Wedding Presentnamed their first albumGeorge Best,and featured Best on the cover wearing his red Manchester United kit. After his death,Brian KennedyandPeter Corryreleased a single entitledGeorge Best – A Tribute.Best features in EA Sports'FIFAvideo game series;he was included as an icon in theFIFA 19Ultimate Team Legends.

In 2007,GQmagazine named him as one of the 50 most stylish men of the past 50 years.When Best played football, salaries were a fraction of what top players earn today, but, with his pop star image and celebrity status, Best still earned a fortune. He lost almost all of it. When asked what happened to the money he had earned, Best quipped: "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds (women) and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

In 2012, Best was featured in the list ofThe New Elizabethansto mark thediamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.A panel of seven academics, journalists and historians named Best among the group of people in the UK "whose actions during the reign of Elizabeth II have had a significant impact on lives in these islands and given the age its character".

Alcoholism

"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."

— Best on his excesses off the field.

Best suffered from alcoholism for most of his adult life, leading to numerous controversies and, eventually, his death.In 1981, while playing in the United States, Best robbed a woman by taking money from her handbag in order to fund a drinking session. He recalled the incident, "We were sitting in a bar on the beach, and when she got up to go to the toilet I leaned over and took all the money she had in her bag."

In 1984, Best received a three-month prison sentence fordrunk driving,assaulting a police officer and failing to answer bail. He spent Christmas 1984 atFord Open Prison.Contrary to popular belief and urban legend, he never played football for the prison team. In September 1990, Best appeared on the primetimeBBC1chat showWoganin which he was heavily drunk and swore, at one point saying to the host, "Terry, I like screwing".In 2002, he toldThe Guardian:"I was ill and everyone could see it but me."

Liver transplant and controversy

Best was diagnosed with severe liver damage in March 2000.His liver was said to be functioning at only 20%.In 2001, he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.At the end of July and start of August 2002, he had a successfulliver transplantat the privateCromwell Hospitalin London.He haemorrhaged so badly during the operation that he nearly died.The transplant was performed at public expense on theNHS,a decision which was controversial due to Best's alcoholism.The controversy was reignited in 2003 when he was spotted openly drinkingwhite winespritzers.On 2 February 2004, Best was convicted of another drink-driving offence and banned from driving for 20 months.

Death

Gates ofBelfast City Hallsoon after Best's death,Another view.

Best continued to drink and was sometimes seen at his local pub inSurbiton,London. On 3 October 2005, he was admitted tointensive careat the privateCromwell Hospitalin London, suffering from akidney infectioncaused by the side effects of immuno-suppressive drugs used to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted liver.On 27 October, newspapers stated that Best was close to death and had sent a farewell message to his loved ones. Close friends in the game visited his bedside to make their farewells, includingRodney Marsh,and the two other members of the "United Trinity",Bobby CharltonandDenis Law.

On 20 November, the tabloidNews of the Worldpublished a picture of Best, at his own request, showing him in his hospital bed withjaundice,along with a warning about the dangers of alcohol with his message: "Don't die like me".In the early hours of 25 November 2005, treatment was stopped; later that day he died, aged 59, as a result of alung infectionandmultiple organ failure.

Tributes were paid to Best from around the world, including from arguably three of the greatest football players ever,Pelé,Diego MaradonaandJohan Cruyff.Maradona commented: "George inspired me when I was young. He was flamboyant and exciting and able to inspire his teammates. I actually think we were very similar players –dribblerswho were able to create moments of magic. "Fellow Manchester United legendEric Cantonagave a eulogy to Best: "I would love him to save me a place in his team, George Best that is, not God."

ThePremier Leagueannounced that a minute's silence would be observed before all Premier League games to be held over the weekend of his death; however at many grounds a minute's applause broke out in his honour.The first match at Old Trafford after Best's death was aLeague Cuptie againstWest Bromwich Albion,the club against which he made his debut for Manchester United in 1963.The match, which United won, was preceded by tributes from former teammate Sir Bobby Charlton. Best's son Calum and former teammates, surviving members from the West Brom team which he played against in his debut, all joined the current United squad on the pitch for a minute's silence, during which fans in every seat held aloft pictures of Best, which were given out before the match.

Funeral

The Best family grave at Roselawn Cemetery, overlooking east Belfast

His body left the family home at Cregagh Road,East Belfast,shortly after 10:00 on Saturday 3 December 2005. The cortege then travelled the short distance toStormont.The route was lined with around 100,000 mourners.Former Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham, international teammatesDerek Dougan,Peter McParland,Harry Gregg,Gerry Armstrongand Denis Law were the first to carry the coffin to the base of the Stormont steps.

There was an 11 am service in the Grand Hall attended by 300 invited guests relayed to around 25,000 mourners inside the grounds of Stormont. Best's brother Ian, agent Phil Hughes, Dr Akeel Alisa, who treated Best, and his brothers-in-law Norman McNarry and Alan McPherson, were also pallbearers. As the cortege left Stormont, theGilnahirkpipe band played. The funeral was live on several television stations includingBBC One.Afterwards, Best was interred beside his mother Annie Mary Best in a private ceremony at the hill-top Roselawn Cemetery, overlooking east Belfast.

Memorials

Following his death, the George Best Belfast City Airport was named after him

George Best waxwork inMalahide,Dublin

Belfast City Airport was renamedGeorge Best Belfast City Airportas a tribute to Best.The official new name and signage was unveiled to a gathering of the Best family and friends at the airport on 22 May 2006, which would have been his 60th birthday. Public opinion in Northern Ireland about the renaming of the airport was divided, with one poll showing 52% in favour and 48% against.Democratic Unionist Party(DUP) deputy leader andEast BelfastMember of ParliamentPeter Robinson,in whose constituency Belfast City airport is situated, stated that his preference was a sports stadium be named after Best.

"With feet as sensitive as a pickpocket's hands, his control of the ball under the most violent pressure was astonishing. The bewildering repertoire of feints and swerves... and balance that would have made Isaac Newton decide he might as well have eaten the apple."

— Sports writerHugh McIlvanney.

In March 2006, the airlineFlybenamed aDash 8 (Q400)planeThe George Best.The aircraft was later used to carry Best's family across to the Manchester memorial service for Best.

In June 2006, Sarah Fabergé, great-granddaughter of Russian imperial jewellerPeter Carl Fabergé,was commissioned to create the George Best Egg, in tribute. A limited edition of 68 eggs were produced, with all profits from the sale of the eggs going to the George Best Foundation, which promotes health through sport and supports people with alcohol and drug problems.The first egg is on display at the George Best Airport. For the first anniversary of his death,Ulster Bankissued 1 million commemorative £5 notes.The notes sold out in five days.The notes sold on the online auction site eBay for up to £30.

In December 2006, the George Best Memorial Trust launched a fund-raising drive to raise £200,000 in subscriptions to pay for a life-size bronze sculpture of George Best. By 2008 the money had still not been raised until a local developer, Doug Elliott, announced on 29 January 2008, that he would put up the rest of the money and would manage delivery of the project.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester United	1963–64	First Division	17	4	7	2	—		2	0	0	0	26	6
	1964–65	First Division	41	10	7	2	—		11	2	0	0	59	14
	1965–66	First Division	31	9	5	3	—		6	4	1	1	43	17
	1966–67	First Division	42	10	2	0	1	0	—		0	0	45	10
	1967–68	First Division	41	28	2	1	—		9	3	1	0	53	32
	1968–69	First Division	41	19	6	1	—		6	2	2	0	55	22
	1969–70	First Division	37	15	8	6	8	2	—		0	0	53	23
	1970–71	First Division	40	18	2	1	6	2	—		3	1	51	22
	1971–72	First Division	40	18	7	5	6	3	—		1	1	54	27
	1972–73	First Division	19	4	0	0	4	2	—		0	0	23	6
	1973–74	First Division	12	2	0	0	0	0	—		0	0	12	2
	Total		361	137	46	21	25	9	34	11	8	3	474	181
Dunstable Town	1974–75	Southern League Division One North	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
Stockport County	1975–76	Fourth Division	3	2	0	0	0	0	—		—		3	2
Cork Celtic	1975–76	League of Ireland	3	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		3	0
Los Angeles Aztecs	1976	North American Soccer League	23	15	—		—		—		1	0	24	15
Fulham	1976–77	Second Division	32	6	2	0	3	2	—		—		37	8
	1977–78	Second Division	10	2	0	0	0	0	—		—		10	2
	Total		42	8	2	0	3	2	—		—		47	10
Los Angeles Aztecs	1977	North American Soccer League	20	11	—		—		—		5	2	25	13
	1978	North American Soccer League	12	1	—		—		—		—		12	1
	Total		32	12	—		—		—		5	2	37	14
Fort Lauderdale Strikers	1978	North American Soccer League	9	4	—		—		—		5	1	14	5
	1979	North American Soccer League	19	2	—		—		—		—		19	2
	Total		28	6	—		—		—		5	1	33	7
Hibernian	1979–80	Scottish Premier Division	13	3	3	0	0	0	—		—		16	3
	1980–81	Scottish First Division	4	0	0	0	2	0	—		—		6	0
	Total		17	3	3	0	2	0	—		—		22	3
San Jose Earthquakes	1980	North American Soccer League	26	8	—		—		—		—		26	8
	1981	North American Soccer League	30	13	—		—		—		—		30	13
	Total		56	21	—		—		—		—		56	21
AFC Bournemouth	1982–83	Third Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		5	0
Brisbane Lions	1983	National Soccer League	4	0	0	0	—		—		—		4	0
Career total			574	204	52	21	30	11	34	11	19	6	705	251

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Northern Ireland	1964	6	2
	1965	6	1
	1966	1	0
	1967	1	0
	1968	1	1
	1969	4	0
	1970	4	1
	1971	6	4
	1972	2	0
	1973	1	0
	1974	0	0
	1975	0	0
	1976	2	0
	1977	3	0
Total		37	9

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Best goal.

List of international goals scored by George Best

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	14 November 1964	Stade Olympique de la Pontaise,Lausanne,Switzerland	Switzerland	1–0	1–2	1966 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	25 November 1964	Hampden Park,Glasgow,Scotland	Scotland	1–0	2–3	1964–65 British Home Championship
3	7 May 1965	Windsor Park,Belfast,Northern Ireland	Albania	4–1	4–1	1966 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	23 October 1968	Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland	Turkey	1–1	4–1	1970 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	21 April 1970	Wembley Stadium,London, England	England	1–1	1–3	1969–70 British Home Championship
6	3 February 1971	GSP Stadium,Nicosia,Cyprus	Cyprus	3–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualification
7	21 April 1971	Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland	Cyprus	2–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualification
8				3–0
9				4–0

Honours

Manchester United

• Football League First Division:1964–65,1966–67
• Charity Shield:1965,1967
• European Cup:1968

Hibernian F.C.

• East of Scotland Shield:1979–80

Northern Ireland

• British Home Championship:1964

Individual

• Football League First Divisiontop scorer:1967–68
• FWA Footballer of the Year:1967–68
• Ballon d'Or:1968;third place1971
• FUWO European Team of the Season:1968,1969
• Rothmans Golden Boots Awards:1970, 1971
• Sport Ideal European XI:1971
• PFA Team of the Year Second Division:1977
• Football League 100 Legends:1998
• Honorary doctorate fromQueen's University Belfast:2001
• FreemanofCastlereagh:2002
• Inaugural inductee into theEnglish Football Hall of Fame:2002
• BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award:2002
• UEFA Jubilee Awards–Northern Ireland's Golden Player:2003
• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll:No. 19
• FIFA 100(world's greatest living players: 2004)
• Golden Foot:2005, asfootball legend
• PFA Merit Award:2006
• FWA Tribute Award:2000
• English Football Hall of Fame:2002
• FIFA Player of the Century:
  • FIFA internet vote: No. 20
  • FIFA Magazine and Grand Jury vote: No. 5
• World SoccerThe Greatest Players of the 20th century: No. 8
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team(Bronze): 2020

Biographies

• Bestie(co-written with Joe Lovejoy),
• The Good, The Bad and The Bubbly(with Ross Benson)
• Blessed: The Autobiography(with Roy Collins)
• George Best: A Celebration(Bernie Smith and Maureen Hunt)
• Scoring at Half Time(withMartin Knight).
• Hard Tackles and Dirty Baths(with Harry Harris)
• George Best: A Memoir(Michael Parkinson)

References

General

• Best, George (2005).Hard Tackles and Dirty Baths: The Inside Story of Football's Golden Era.Ebury.ISBN0-09-190608-3.

External links

• The George Best Foundation
• George Best–FIFAcompetition record (archived)
• George Best Player Profile
• English Football Hall of Fame Profileat theWayback Machine(archived 15 April 2005)