A tribute to Manchester United's legend and one of the greatest of all times.
Good, Better, Best .....your grammar teacher would go when explaining comparatives and superlatives.
Years later, when the bug of football bites you, the true meaning dawns on you. In the early '60s to the early 70's like always there were many good footballers and then there was Best ......George Best. Grammar for once is clear, crystal clear.
Born in Belfast, in 1946, the gifted Irish boy played rugby and football at school. His local club Glentoran tested him and found him "too small and light".
The Bishop spots Best
In 1961, a Manchester United scout, scouring around, spotted Best. Bob Bishop, a United Scout covering Northern Ireland, was an affable guy with an uncanny eye for talent. He would visit Belfast every week and get some youngsters together to watch them play. The Bishop, as he was affectionately known, would, in his gentle ways, guide the boys while he kept an eye on them.
On one of his visits, he spotted the best, the raw talent, and his telegram back to the manager, Matt Busby, was to become a part of the folklore at Manchester United. "I have found you a genius," wrote Bishop, and how true that turned out to be!
Recruited by Busby and allowed to train with the team, Best found his calling. In September 1963, he made his debut in the First Division at the age of 17 against West Brom. United won 1-0. He went to spend some time on the bench, playing on and off. At the end of the season, he had played around 20 matches, and United finished second behind Liverpool.
Best announced himself to the world at the European Cup in 1966.
Benfica are overrun by George Best
In 1961, a Manchester United scout, scouring around spotted Best. The scout Bob Bishop, a United scout covering Northern Ireland was an affable guy with an uncanny eye for talent. He would visit Belfast every week and get some youngsters together to watch them play. The Bishop as he was affectionately known, would in his gentle ways guide the boys while he kept an eye on them.
On one of his visits, he spotted Best, he spotted the raw talent, and his telegram back to the manager Matt Busby was to become a part of the folklore at Manchester United. "I have found you a genius," wrote Bishop, and how true that turned out to be.
Recruited by Busby and allowed to train with the team, Best found his calling. In Sept 1963, he made his debut in the First Division at the age of 17 against West Brom. United won 1-0. He went to spend some time on the bench, playing on and off. At the end of the season he had played 20-odd matches and United finished second behind Liverpool.
Best announced himself to the world when at the European Cup in 1966.
He gifted the football world with memorable moments. The whirlwind in Lisbon and six goals on his own in an 8-2 annihilation of Nottingham Forest are all gilt-edged gifts to the history of the glorious game of football.
In his ten-odd years at United, he won two first-division titles and a European Cup. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1968. But more than all that, it was the aura that Best carried that made him a legend and found him a place in the Trinity, whose statues welcome the red fans at their home fortress.
It was his addiction to alcohol that brought him down; he could not fight the urge, and it took him down the spiral. He faded away and got into the news for all the wrong reasons. He left Manchester United and went around, finally retiring in 1983.
Manchester United 's favorite idol passes away...
In 2005, after a long battle with alcohol-related ailments, Best passed away, not before gifting the footballing world a sparkling bag of memories.
Belfast's favourite son is no more, but his legacy will live on forever. A statue in Windsor Park, a mural in his neighbourhood—Best lives on in Irish lore. Every visitor who lands in Belfast does so at the George Best Airport.
Ireland, the Irish, Manchester United, and all of the footballing world acknowledge his greatness.
Pele called him the greatest footballer; Beckenbauer agreed, and all those who follow, write, and speak football will agree to his rightful place among the greats.
Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyff and George Best ....magicians all...
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A side story read somewhere...... During the height of bouts with Alcohol, Best it was said, would stand up in one of those bars and wager a bet. He would bend his right foot back from the knee, keep a coin on the back of his feet, and punch drunk, he would flip it mesmerizingly over his shoulder and into his right pocket......it was always showtime with George...
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Sudhir Bhattathiripad
Be A Sport
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