George Best

Best in 1982
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	London, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Midfielder Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1961–1963	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1963–1974	Manchester United	361	(137)
1974	→ Jewish Guild (loan)	5	(0)
1974	→ Dunstable Town (loan)	0	(0)
1975	Stockport County	3	(2)
1975–1976	Cork Celtic	3	(0)
1976	Los Angeles Aztecs	23	(15)
1976–1978	Fulham	42	(8)
1977–1978	Los Angeles Aztecs	32	(12)
1978–1979	Fort Lauderdale Strikers	26	(6)
1979–1981	Hibernian	17	(3)
1980–1981	San Jose Earthquakes	56	(28)
1980–1981	San Jose Earthquakes (indoor)	16	(25)
1982	Sea Bee	2	(0)
1982	Hong Kong Rangers	1	(0)
1983	Bournemouth	5	(0)
1983	Brisbane Lions	4	(0)
1983	Osborne Park Galeb	1	(1)
1983	Nuneaton Borough	-	(-)
1984	Tobermore United	1	(0)
Total		579	(205)
National team
1964–1977	Northern Ireland	37	(9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. In 1968 he won the European Cup with United, and was named the European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. He is described by the national team's governing body, the Irish Football Association, as the "greatest player to ever pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland".^[1]

Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Best began his club career in England with Manchester United, who had spotted his talent at the age of 15. He went on to see success with United scoring 179 goals from 470 appearances over 11 years. His playing style combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders.^[2] Best unexpectedly quit United relatively early in 1974 at age 27, but returned to football for a number of clubs around the world in short spells, until finally retiring in 1983, age 37. In international football, he was an automatic choice when fit, being capped 37 times and scoring nine goals from 1964 to 1977, although the team's performance never allowed his talent to be displayed in the finals of a European Championship or World Cup.

Such was Best's talent and charisma that he became one of the first celebrity footballers, but his subsequent extravagant lifestyle led to various problems, most notably alcoholism which he suffered from for the rest of his adult life. These problems affected him on and off the field throughout his career, at times causing controversy.^[3] He often said of his career that "I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted".^[4] After football he spent some time as a pundit, but his financial and health problems continued into his retirement.^[3] He died in 2005 age 59, due to complications from the immunosuppressant drugs he needed to take after being controversially granted an NHS liver transplant in 2002.^[5][6] Best was married twice, to two former models, Angie Best and then Alex Best. His son Calum Best was born in 1981 from his first marriage.

Prior to his death, Best was voted 16th in the IFFHS World Player of the Century election in 1999 and was one of the inaugural 22 inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002; in 2004 he was also voted 19th in the public UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll and named by Pelé as one of the 125 best living footballers in the world.^[7] After his death, on what would have been his 60th birthday, Belfast City Airport was renamed the George Best Belfast City Airport as a "fitting and permanent tribute to his footballing brilliance." According to the BBC, Best was remembered by mourners at his public funeral held in Belfast as "the beautiful boy" [with a] "beautiful game".^[8]

Early years and family[link]

George Best was the first child of Dickie Best (1919–2008) and Anne Best (née Withers) (1922–1978), and grew up in Cregagh, Belfast. He was brought up in the Free Presbyterian faith.^[9] Dickie Best was a member of the Orange Order and the young George Best carried the strings of the banner in his local Cregagh lodge. In his autobiography, Best mentioned how important the order was to his family.^[10] Best had four sisters, Carol, Barbara, Julie and Grace, and a brother, Ian. Best's father Dickie died on 16 April 2008, at the age of 88, in the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, Northern Ireland. He had been admitted to hospital four weeks earlier.^[11] Best's mother Anne died from alcoholism-related heart disease^[12] in 1978, aged 55.

In 1957, at the age of 11, the academically gifted Best passed the 11 plus and went to Grosvenor High School, but he soon played truant as the school specialised in rugby. Best then moved to Lisnasharragh Secondary School, reuniting him with friends from primary school and allowing him to focus on football.

Club career[link]

Manchester United (1963–1974)[link]

At the age of 15, Best was discovered in Belfast by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United manager Matt Busby read: "I think I've found you a genius."^[13][14] His local club Glentoran had previously rejected him for being "too small and light".^[15] Best was subsequently given a trial and signed up by chief scout Joe 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.^[16]

Best made his Manchester United debut, aged 17, on 14 September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in a 1–0 victory. He was too young to contend for a first-team place for much of the first half of the season. His second appearance came on 28 December against Burnley. This First Division match saw Best's first goal for United in a 5–1 win. Matt Busby used Best much more after the New Year and by the end of the season, Best had made 26 appearances, scoring six goals. Manchester United finished second, four points behind Liverpool.

In his second season, Best and Manchester United claimed the league title.

Best hit the headlines at the age of twenty when he scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match against Benfica in 1966. The Portuguese media dubbed him "O Quinto Beatle", "the fifth Beatle" in English. His talent and showmanship made him a crowd and media favourite. Known for his long hair, good looks and extravagant celebrity lifestyle, Best appeared on Top of the Pops in 1965.^[17] Other nicknames included the "Belfast Boy" and he was often referred to as Georgie, or Geordie in his native Belfast.^[18]

The 1966–67 season was again successful, as Manchester United claimed the league title by four points. The following season, Best became a European Cup winner after scoring in the final against Benfica. United won 4–1 and Best was later crowned European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. After this, his steady decline began.

Best opened two nightclubs in Manchester, in the late 1960s, Oscar's and the other called Slack Alice's (which later became 42nd Street Nightclub). He also owned fashion boutiques, in partnership with Mike Summerbee of Manchester City. He developed problems with gambling, womanising and alcoholism.

Best played at United when shirt numbers were assigned to positions, in the traditional English way, 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, 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, with Bobby Charlton injured, on 22 March 1969 at Old Trafford, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.^[19]

In 1974, aged 27, Best quit United for good. His last competitive game for the club was on 1 January 1974 against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, which United lost 3-0.^[20]

In total Best made 470 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions from 1963 to 1974, and scored 179 goals (including six in one game against fourth division Northampton Town — an extraordinary feat that in 2002 the British public voted #26 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments).^[21]The last of his goals for United was in a 3-2 home league defeat to Coventry City on 15 December 1973.^[22]He was the club's top scorer for six consecutive seasons, and was the First Division's top scorer in the 1967–68 season. Over the next decade he went into an increasingly rapid decline, drifting between several clubs, including spells in South Africa, Ireland, United States, Scotland, and Australia.

Jewish Guild (1974)[link]

Playing only five competitive matches for Jewish Guild in 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.^[23]

Cork Celtic (1975)[link]

Best had a brief spell at Cork Celtic in December 1975. He played only three league games, against Drogheda United, Bohemians and Shelbourne, 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.^[24]

Fulham (1976–1977)[link]

Best had a brief resurgence in form with Fulham in 1976–77, showing that, although he had lost some of his pace, he retained his skills. His time with the Cottagers is particularly remembered for a second division match against Hereford United on 25 September 1976 in which he tackled his own teammate, and old drinking mate, Rodney Marsh. Best stated later in life that he enjoyed his time most while at Fulham, despite not winning any honours.

United States (1976–1981)[link]

Best played for three clubs in the United States: Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and later San Jose Earthquakes; he also played for the Detroit Express on a European tour. Best revelled in the anonymity the United States afforded him after England and was a success on the field, too, scoring 15 goals in 24 games in his first season with the Aztecs and named as the NASL's best midfielder in his second.^[25] He and manager Ken Adam opened "Bestie's Beach Club" (now called "The Underground" after the London subway system) in Hermosa Beach, California in the 1970s, and continued to operate it until the 1990s.

Hibernian (1979–1981)[link]

Best caused a stir when he returned to the UK to play for the Scottish club Hibernian.^[26] Hibs, who were suffering a decline in fortunes and were heading for relegation from the Premier Division,^[26] signed Best on a "pay per play" basis after the club chairman, Tom Hart, received a tip-off from an Edinburgh Evening News reporter that he was available.^[26][27] Even though Best failed to save Hibs from relegation, gates increased dramatically, as Hibs' attendance quadrupled for his first match at Easter Road.^[26] One infamous incident saw Best initially sacked by Hibs after he went on a massive drinking session with the French rugby team, who were in Edinburgh to play Scotland.^[27] He was brought back a week later.

Best returned to the USA to play for San Jose Earthquakes in what was officially described as a "loan", though he only managed a handful of appearances for Hibs in the First Division in the following season.^[27] He returned one last time to Easter Road in 1984, for Jackie McNamara's testimonial match against Newcastle.^[26] In his third season in the States, Best scored only 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 with Bolton Wanderers in 1981, he was invited as a guest player and played three matches for two Hong Kong First Division teams (Sea Bee and Rangers) in 1982.^[28]

Bournemouth (1982–1983)[link]

In late 1982, Bournemouth manager Don Megson signed the 36-year-old Best for the Football League Third Division side, and he remained there until the end of the season, when he finally retired from football at the age of 37. The following season Malcolm Allison apparently persuaded him to sign for Middlesbrough but he never made a League appearance for them.^{[citation needed]}

Brisbane Lions (1983)[link]

Best played in a friendly for Newry Town against Shamrock Rovers in August 1983 ^[29] before ending his professional career exactly 20 years after joining Manchester United with a brief four-match stint playing for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian National Soccer League during the 1983 season.^[30]

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. www.dyfc.com.au ^[31][32]

Testimonial (1988)[link]

On 8 August 1988, a testimonial match was held for Best at Windsor Park. Among the crowd were Sir Matt Busby and Bob Bishop, the scout who discovered Best, while those playing included Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings and Liam Brady. Best scored twice, one goal from outside the box, the other from the penalty spot.

International career[link]

He was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals. Of his nine international goals four were scored against Cyprus and one each against Albania, England, Scotland, Switzerland and Turkey.

On 15 May 1971, Best scored possibly the most famous "goal" of his career at Windsor Park in Belfast against England.^[33] As Gordon 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.^[33] Best outpaced Banks and headed the ball into the empty goal, but the goal was disallowed by referee Alistair Mackenzie.^[33]

Best continued to be selected for Northern Ireland throughout the 1970s, despite his fluctuating form and off pitch problems. There were still glimpses of his genius; in 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against the Netherlands in Rotterdam as one of their 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. The Netherlands, who were runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, and their star player, Johan Cruyff, were at their peak at the time. Five minutes into the game Best received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading towards goal he turned directly infield, weaved his way past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. Best took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet – nutmegging arguably the best player in the world at that time.^[34]

Best was considered briefly by manager Billy Bingham for the 1982 World Cup, but at the age of 36 and his football skills dulled by age and drink, he was not selected in the Northern Ireland squad.

International goals[link]

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	14 November 1964	Lausanne, Switzerland	Switzerland	1–1	1–2	1966 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	25 November 1964	Glasgow, Scotland	Scotland	1–1	2–3	1965 British Home Championship
3	7 May 1965	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Albania	4–0	4–1	1966 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	13 October 1968	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Turkey	1–1	4–1	1966 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	21 April 1970	London, England	England	1–3	1–3	1970 British Home Championship
6	3 February 1971	Nicosia, Cyprus	Cyprus	3–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying
7	21 April 1971	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Cyprus	2–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying
8	21 April 1971	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Cyprus	3–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying
9	21 April 1971	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Cyprus	4–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying