George Best was probably the most talented player to pull on a Manchester United shirt. Indeed when pundits are asked to name the best players in history, Best is usually the only player from the home nations to get a look in. Best also arguably the first footballer to achieve celebrity status. He is still considered second only to Pele in terms of footballing skill, despite a career cut short by alcohol problems. A true flawed genius of the Beautiful Game, one can only wonder how different things would have been and what records he would have broken had he not succumbed to his extravagant lifestyle.
George Best was born on 22 May 1946, the eldest of six children born to Dickie and Anne Best. He grew up in the Cregagh area of Belfast where he was discovered by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop who famously wrote to Sir Matt Busby saying: "I think I've found you a genius." After a successful trial, Best was signed by Manchester United head scout Joe Armstrong. Best was blessed with a deadly combination of lightening pace and balance which made him the scourge of many defences.
Best's talent and showmanship donning Manchester United shirt made him a crowd and media favourite. He earned the nickname "the fifth Beatle" due to his flowing locks and film star looks. He enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle, opening nightclubs in Manchester in the late 1960s. However, he developed problems with alcoholism which would eventually bring down his career with Manchester United to a sad and premature end. One of his most often repeated quotes is the answer he gave to the question "what have you done with all the money that you have earned?" which was, "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
The years 1966-68 were perhaps Best's most successful in a Manchester United Shirt. Manchester United again winning the league title. The following season Manchester United won the European Cup after beating Benfica 4-1 in a final that Best also scored in. He was later crowned European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.
During the times that Best occupied the right wing, he donned the number 7 Manchester United shirt. As a left winger, he wore the number 11 shirt. In those days a number was assigned to a shirt and not to a player. He caused a furore when he walked out on the club in 1973, wearing the number 11 shirt.
Best had many accolades since retiring from football including being named by Pelé as one of the 125 best living footballers in 2004.
George Best left Manchester United for the last time in 1974 aged just 27. His last game was against QPR on the 1st of January. He made in total 470 appearances and scored 179 goals. He was the top goal scorer for six seasons in a row.
On the 25th November 2005, George Best died aged 59. He suffered multiple organ failure after becoming ill following his liver transplant in 2002. To prevent his body rejecting his new liver, he was put on medication designed to suppress the immune system. This obviously laid him open to new infections.
George Best will be remembered as a genius of the beautiful game who wasted his natural talent to drink. His dazzling appearances in a Manchester United shirt are what he will be most remembered for. His loyal Irish fans perhaps summed him up best when they said,"Maradona good, Pelé better, but George Best."
About the Author
Patrick Attlee writes extensively on the histories of the big English football clubs.
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