My all-time favorite player is undoubtedly George Best.
As a lifelong Manchester United supporter, I have been to numerous matches and watch them on TV every chance I get. My father supported United too, and Genevieve was an avid fan, even before we met.
Georgie Best was one of a kind, spectacular ball control and possessing a unique perspective to the game. It should also be mentioned that he played in the 60’s and 70’s in England, when the pitches they played on were often aweful, loads of mud down the middle and in the 6-yard box with grass being sparse. Nothing like the “snooker table” pitches of modern football. I believe it was Pele who named Bestie as the “best player in the world” and I would be hard-pressed to dispute that, particularly coming from Pele.
I once saw Georgie score 6 goals in a game after coming back from a lengthy suspension for, if I recall, spitting at a referee. Yes, he had his dark side for sure but he could be wonderfully appealing too. In his autobiography when asked about his playboy image he said – “….sure I’ve spent lots of money on women, booze and cars……...the rest I squandered!” I think I want that on my headstone when I die.
George was an admitted alcoholic and it cut his career very short, I was lucky enough to see him in his prime, drifting in and out of opposing players, sometimes seeming to go back and beat the defender another time almost for fun. He was amazing to watch then, unlike today’s stars who drop to the ground and roll for ever at merely a touch, George would stay on his feet, in spite of crunching tackles from the likes of Norman “bites your legs” Hunter or Ron “chopper” Harris.
Rest in peace Georgie, and thanks for the amazing memories.
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