Football legend George Best dies

[Salem6]

Former football star George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59 after suffering multiple organ failure.



Best, who was admitted eight weeks ago with flu-like symptoms, died at 1255 GMT. London's Cromwell Hospital said it ended "a long and very valiant fight".

Son Calum, 24, who had kept a bedside vigil, said: "Not only have I lost my Dad... we've all lost a wonderful man."

The ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star is to be buried in Belfast beside his mother, Ann, late next week.

Best's father Dickie, 87, who was among relatives at his bedside overnight, asked for the family to be left to grieve in peace.

Best's sister, Barbara McNarry, said: "To the thousands upon thousands of people who have sent cards and e-mails, we have taken great comfort from them, especially during the long hours."

The family later viewed the many flowers and messages left by fans outside Cromwell Hospital.

Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced British and world football.

His heyday occurred during the 1960s, when he brought a pop star image to the game.

Asked later what happened to the money he had earned, Best replied: "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

A statement released by Best's second wife, Alex, said: "George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy."

Tributes

Prime Minister Tony Blair led tributes to the man he called "probably the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation, one of the greatest footballers the UK has ever produced".

"Anyone who has seen him as a football fan will never forget it," Mr Blair said from the Commonwealth Head of Governments meeting in Malta.


Best's family announced his death outside Cromwell Hospital


Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said: "George should be remembered as the very best at what he did. He was quite simply a football genius."

Sir Bobby Charlton said his former Manchester United team-mate "made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play".

"Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person."

A statement from the club said: "For the goals, the audacious dribbles and all the wonderful memories, Manchester United and its legions of fans worldwide will always be grateful."

A minute silence is to be observed at every Premiership football match this weekend in Best's memory.

Deterioration

He had been in hospital since entering with flu-like symptoms on 1 October, later suffering a kidney infection.

His condition deteriorated sharply last Friday with the development of a lung infection that led to internal bleeding.

Best, a recovering alcoholic, was particularly susceptible to infection because of medicines he needed after a 2002 liver transplant.

GEORGE BEST'S HEALTH

March 2000: Severe liver damage diagnosed
February 2001: Treated for pneumonia
April 2001: Anti-alcohol pellets implanted into his stomach
July 2002: Undergoes liver transplant
November 2004: Routine operation to check on liver transplant
October 2005: Treated for kidney infection in intensive care
November 2005: Lung infection sees condition worsen


Decline of the golden boy

The Belfast-born former footballer and television pundit had been prescribed medication to suppress the immune system and prevent his body rejecting the new liver.

At the time of his hospital admission in October, Best's agent Phil Hughes said his client had been "off the drink" before being admitted to the hospital.

Dr Akeel Alisa, part of the medical team which had been treating Best, described him as "delightful to look after - he was very brave, a fighter to the end".


Best helped Manchester United win the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968.

His role in the team's success was recognised by his becoming the European Footballer of the Year in 1968.

Best made 466 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring a total of 178 goals.

He also won 37 caps - scoring nine goals - for Northern Ireland.

But despite his talent, his love of a champagne and playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence for drink-driving and, eventually, his controversial liver transplant.



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Arsene Wenger on George Best - salem6taxigirl.proboards22.com/index.cgi?board=AFCCURR&action=display&thread=1133027599

[Salem6]

Manchester United football legend George Best will be remembered for his dazzling skill on the pitch, and for his champagne lifestyle away from it.



Best was a footballing genius. He had speed, superb dribbling skills, the ability to accelerate past players and was adept with both feet.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the British game.

GEORGE BEST FACTFILE
1965: Helps Man Utd win League Championship
1968: Scores in United's victory in European Cup
1974: Walks out on United aged 28
1984: Jailed for drink-driving offence


Football legend George Best dies

Together with Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, Best formed a triumvirate that inspired Manchester United to League Championships in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968.

In that year, he picked up the English and European footballer of the year awards.

His heyday occurred during the "swinging sixties", and, with his good looks, he brought a pop star image to the game for the first time.

But the accompanying champagne and playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence and, eventually, a liver transplant.

Stunning debut

George Best was born in Belfast, the son of a shipyard worker. He was spotted by a Manchester United scout while still at school.


He enjoyed a champagne lifestyle


At 15, he was taken to Manchester by Matt Busby, with a job as an office boy near United's ground, and signed as a professional at 17.

He burst on to the international scene with a stunning display against Benfica in 1966 in which he scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of a 5-1 demolition in Portugal.

At 18, he won the first of 37 international caps for Northern Ireland and was being hailed as the new Stanley Matthews.

A slight figure, 5ft 8in tall and weighing 10 stone, he dazzled the crowds with his skill.

Hedonistic lifestyle

But soon the shy, unworldly boy from Belfast was caught up in the trappings of fame. He acquired an agent and a secretary and went into business, opening two boutiques.

Although he rarely missed a game in his early career, he started causing problems at Old Trafford, and in 1971 was suspended for a fortnight for failing to catch a train for a game at Chelsea.


George Best was a notorious ladies' man


A year later, he was dropped from the team again for failing to attend training, and was ordered to leave the house he had built in Cheshire and move into lodgings near Old Trafford.

By now his lifestyle was a constant source of newspaper gossip, with countless stories of girls and heavy drinking.

Tommy Docherty's arrival at the club inevitably led to a showdown and Best finally parted company with Manchester United in January 1974.

Christmas in jail

In the following years he played, briefly, for 11 different clubs, including Fulham, Hibernian and three American sides.

His personal life became increasingly more difficult, with bouts of alcoholism, bankruptcy and the failure of his first marriage.


Arrested for drink driving in 1984


Then, in 1984, he was convicted of drink-driving and assaulting a policeman, and was jailed for 12 weeks. An appeal failed, and Best spent Christmas in Pentonville Prison.

He claimed that the experience made him turn over a new leaf, but in 1990 millions watched his infamous drunken performance on the Wogan television chat show.

Eight months later he was bound over for assaulting a man in a London pub.

In 1998 he agreed, under pain of eviction, to leave the Chelsea flat he had lived in for the previous 13 years. He was £70,000 in mortgage arrears.

Plagued by alcoholism

Though he had married again in 1995 and had gained regular employment on television and as an after-dinner speaker, his alcoholism continued to plague his mind and body.


Crowds loved Best's athleticism


In March 2000 he spent several weeks in hospital with a liver problem, almost certainly a result of his drinking.

His liver was said to be functioning at only 20%. Two years later, he entered hospital again for a liver transplant. His second marriage faltered shortly after, when he admitted to being back on the booze.

George Best will be most fondly remembered for his sublime footballing skills, his balletic grace and his sinewy athleticism.

But he wrote his own epitaph when he once said: "I was the one who took football off the back pages and put it on to page one."



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[Salem6]

George Best made his debut for Man Utd as a 17-year-old in 1963 and would go on to become football's first superstar


Within five years, Best was on target to help Man Utd to European Cup glory against Benfica at Wembley in 1968


At 21, Best became the youngest winner of the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year award


The ball from Man Utd's 8-2 win over Northampton on 7 February, 1970 - Best scored a club record six goals


Best's dishevelled good looks and rock'n'roll lifestyle led to him being branded 'The Fifth Beatle'


Belfast-born Best won 37 caps for Northern Ireland, including this match against England in May 1971


In 1976 Best moved closer to the fashion-conscious King's Road, playing for Fulham for a record £500 per game


Best graced the North American Soccer League, playing for the LA Aztecs (above), Fort Lauderdale and San Jose


Best, Sir Bobby Charlton (centre) and Denis Law received lifetime achievement awards in August 2000


In recent years Best worked as a pundit for Sky Sports, using his football knowledge to analyse the Saturday match action


Best's fast-paced lifestyle eventually took its toll and ultimately cost the game one of its finest exponents





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[Salem6]

So George, where did it all go wrong?
The hotel bellboy who delivered champagne to Best's room and found him entertaining a scantily-clad Miss World on a bed covered with his winnings from the casino.

I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep.
George Best provides some dark humour about his addiction.

The only thing I have in common with George Best is that we come from the same place, play for the same club and were discovered by the same man
Norman Whiteside.

I think I've found you a genius.
The telegram sent to Manchester United by talent scout Bob Bishop, who discovered a 15-year-old Best playing for Cregagh Boys' Club.

I once said Gazza's IQ was less than his shirt number and he asked me: "What's an IQ?"
Best on Paul Gascoigne.

I'd give all the Champagne I've ever drunk to be playing alongside him in a big European match at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona impressed Best.

In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.
George Best - ever the joker.

I was in for 10 hours and had 40 pints - beating my previous record by 20 minutes.
Best on the blood transfusion after his liver transplant.

He's not George Best, but then again, no-one is.
Commentator Clive Tyldesley.

I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
Best on cash.




The closest I got to him was when we shook hands at the end of the game.
Northampton player Roy Fairfax, who had been marking Best when he scored six goals in an 8-2 FA Cup win for Man Utd in 1970.

That's what children do - throw food. That's not fighting. We were real men. We'd have chinned them.
Best gives his verdict on the infamous Battle of the Buffet between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Shellito was taken off suffering from twisted blood!
United team-mate Pat Crerand after Best had given Chelsea full-back Ken Shellito a torrid time.

He's been very, very lucky, an average player who came into the game when it was short of personalities.
Best on Kevin Keegan.

He was able to use either foot - sometimes he seemed to have six.
Sir Matt Busby on Best.


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[Salem6]

Tributes are left at George Best's family home on the Cregagh estate as flags fly at half-mast in the borough of Castlereagh



Prayers are said across Northern Ireland and fans also go to Windsor Park where Best played for his country



At Old Trafford, the football home of Best, all sorts of tributes have been left on the pavement throughout the day



As Manchester United face West Ham at Upton Park, fans from both teams lay out their tributes to the legend



Before an emotionally-charged match Best's former team-mate, Sir Bobby Charlton, says a few words



The current Manchester United team hold a minute of applause as Best's picture comes up on the big screen



Best joined Fulham in 1976 and at Craven Cottage fans left several tributes before the game against Bolton



Inside the ground, match officials and the players from Fulham and Bolton stand as the crowd hold a minute of silence



Before the kick-off at the Riverside the players from Middlesbrough and West Brom link arms in quiet reflection



At Goodison Park the players and 40,000 fans stand and applaud for 60 seconds as a mark of respect



Before the game with Rangers, fans of Hibernian, where Best also played, lay memorabilia outside Easter Road



And supporters of Roma in Italy unfurl their own tribute before the Serie A game against Fiorentina



A replica of Best's Man United shirt sums up the feelings of most football fans - "thanks for the memories Georgie"



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