George Best, one of the most celebrated men ever to play professional soccer, died in London a week ago. He was 59.
He had contracted a series of infections to which he had little immunity because of drugs used after he received a liver transplant in July 2002, a result of chronic alcoholism.
More than three decades after his last game with Manchester United, Best attracted publicity to his last breath, having apparently instructed his agent to photograph him on his deathbed and to allow a British newspaper to publish a ghastly image of him – white-bearded and sallow-skinned with medical tubes in his nose, throat and chest – as a warning to young people “not to live and die as I had done.”
Football fans, stateside — the funeral in Belfast will be carried by Setanta Sports, overnight, tonight, live from 4:30 AM EST/1:30 AM PST.
Thanks to Oliver Tse
I was born in the late-50’s in Manchester UK. I grew up with the great MUFC of the 60’s and saw Best as his best.
In the mid to late 60’s and early 70’s before the alcohol he was equally as good as Pele, changing a game in a few seconds, his speed and dribbling skills have, in my opinion, never been seen since.
Due to being born in Northern Ireland he never had a World Cup to display his talents on a world-stage.
Sad.
– John
I was born in Belfast the late 60s and Best’s career was about over by the time I was kicking football in streets, sweaters for goalposts. Not his legacy though. Anyone who ever saw him at his Best could only but marvel at the skill and magic and we 8 and 9 year olds talked about him as an idol though all we had seen of him was black and white footage from a decade earlier.
I was lucky to have been at his testimonial match in the mid 80s at Windsor Park, Belfast. He came on for about 30 minutes and showed some of the old flair, scored a goal (past Grobelaar I think) then left the game. We were in the stands joking that he was off to get ‘tanked up’ and I learned later from his auto-biography that this was not far from the truth on that night.
But Bestie made us so damn proud regardless of which side you were on. This was at a time when all Northern Ireland seem to export was visions of violence and depravity.
It was our collective misfortune that he was afflicted with a weakness that became a disease. The only good that seems to have come of it is that youngsters who make it to the professional level in their late teens seem to be handled better now and don’t have carte blanche to get into the things that Best did.
For me I will always be proud to say Bestie was the Belfast lad who became the greatest soccer player the world has ever known.
RIP.
MEMORIES OF GEORGE
How do you explain in brief, to those who knew him not.
How do you encapsulate, few words for such a lot.
My sons will ask their dad to tell, what this Best thing is all about,
And why now after all these years his fans still have to shout.
I feel it therefore right to bring his talent up to date.
And thus explain in modern terms how God determines fate.
Join the talent of Rooney and Giggs to the looks of an actor like Cruise.
Add the style of the worlds greatest boy band. To strokes that an artist could use.
Take the engine of Roy Keane.
Add a strength that belied his size.
To the frailty of human emotion.
And the twinkle in Irish eyes.
Taking place in a decade of freedom.
When we`d never had it so good.
When a new generation of youngsters.
Were allowed to indulge all they could.
All this from the back streets of Belfast.
From a boyhood not ready for fame.
To the first superstar of his era.
Where people just sigh at his name.
The good lord has taken him early.
And now sadly it`s time to reflect.
On the genius that George has shared with us.
And the legacy that he can expect.
Suffice is to say that though parted.
Paradise has a wonderful guest.
And if God needs a winger in heaven.
Then he knows that he`s taken the Best.
What can I say about the player I idolised since the age of 8. I am 45 now & I flew to Belfast from Wales to pay my last respects at the funeral. I left my Welsh flag bearing the message “ON THE EIGHTH DAY GOD CREATED GEORGIE BEST” with all the other flags, shirts & scarves at the Belfast Town Hall tribute. Guess I could not think of a more fitting message to Belfasts most famous son. Goodbye Georgie Best & thanks for all the pleasures that you gave us to make life more colourful. In truth you will never die in the memories of those that watched you play football & beyond football you were one of lifes genuine guys. Bye Pat Lyons
Could I please recopy the last posting I wrote?
George – we salute you – a giant in sport,
Your fans won’t forget the great thrills that you brought,
Praised so sincerely by your pal Denis Law,
Speaking so bravely though his upset was so raw.
Your life stopped too early – your career all too short,
Sleep tight now Georgie – genius in sport.
You had your weakness – but that’s not a sin
Although you fought bravely you just couldn’t win.
To have a weakness is not a bad thing
Sleep tight Georgie – sport mourns a King!
Could I send another short tribute?
George – we salute you – the King of our sport,
We thank God sincerely for the pleasure you brought,
Back now in the loving care of Sir Matt,
Yeah – you weren’t perfect – but we’ll forgive all that.
Your fans applauded the length of your route,
Genuine soccer fans – a legend to salute.
Your eyes blue as the sea, your hair black as jet,
You’re the one legend we’ll never forget.
A sincere and fond tribute from the great Denis Law
His dark bloodshot eyes showed upset so raw
But it was your sport we’ll recall for ever more!
A short tribute to the greatest guy to ever grace the sport. Sleep tight in Sir Matt’s loving care, George. I’ll never forget you. All my love – Scot.