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lovablemum
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 4068
Location: Northants
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:13 pm Post subject: George Best |
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As George Best once again lies prone in a hospital bed, it is well worth remembering the moments he lit up the front and back pages for all the right reasons, namely his footballing genius.
Once described by Pele as the greatest player in the world and a genius by Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best is unquestionably one of the greatest footballers to have graced the game.
Dubbed ‘the fifth Beatle’, Best shot to International stardom after playing an influential role in Manchester United’s European Cup victory over Benfica in 1968. On a famous night at Wembley Stadium, Best scored a wonderful goal in extra time to send United on the way to becoming the first English team to lift the famous trophy.
Such was Best’s genius in turning players inside-out, he was famously described as leaving defenders with ‘twisted blood’. His heroics for United earned him the European Footballer of the Year award for 1968.
Although his rise to stardom was meteoric, his fall from grace was just as dramatic. The first ‘rockstar’ footballer, the quiet Belfast boy struggled to cope with the adulation, money and media attention and found it difficult to cope with the temptations of such a lifestyle.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered," he famously said of his lifestyle.
One particular story tells of George in bed with Miss World, his cash winnings from a night in the casino scattered over the room. On entering the debaucherous room to deliver room service, the startled waiter exclaimed, 'George! Where did it all go wrong!'
Only four years after lifting the European Cup, Best retired from top flight football. He made a brief but unsuccessful comeback with United then followed spells with Stockport, Fulham, Hibernian, Los Angeles Aztecs and San Jose Earthquakes before finally retiring in 1983 after a stint with Bournemouth.
As his private life slowly began to unravel into a world of alcohol, womanising and brushes with the law, Best’s health deteriorated rapidly. In March 2000 he was diagnosed with serious liver damage, leading to a liver transplant in 2002. Although Best vowed to quit drinking on strict doctors orders, he recently returned to the bottle.
Best is currently being treated in the intensive care unit of London's Cromwell Hospital in a "serious but improving" condition from a kidney infection.
Professor Roger Williams said Best's condition was not alcohol-related but his liver transplant has made him more susceptible to infections.
Career highlights
1946: Born May 22 in Belfast
1963: Makes debut for Man Utd
1964: Northern Ireland debut
1965: United win the league championship
1968: Voted English and European footballer of the year
1972: Quits United aged 26 |
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~~debbydo~~
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 19959
Location: Hertfordshire
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| hes one of my heros .. |
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lovablemum
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 4068
Location: Northants
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Good |
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Macs34
Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 3467
Location: Kenya
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:17 am Post subject: |
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| I wish he comes out of it! He was a great man en some of us remember him so! |
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lovablemum
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 4068
Location: Northants
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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He died Friday 25th November at 12.50pm.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE |
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~~debbydo~~
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 19959
Location: Hertfordshire
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:12 am Post subject: |
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yes and he was buried yesterday..
it was an emotional time for Ireland.. |
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lovablemum
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 4068
Location: Northants
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| His 4 loved ones were there as well as his son and father. |
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~~debbydo~~
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 19959
Location: Hertfordshire
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| OH and who were his loved ones .. :roll: |
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lovablemum
Joined: 02 Aug 2005
Posts: 4068
Location: Northants
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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Angie Best
Alex Best
Ros Hollidge (he proposed to her on his deathbed, she said yes and gave him a Gold and Diamond Ring, he was buried with it)
Mary Shantila |
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~~debbydo~~
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 19959
Location: Hertfordshire
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| Tell a Friend Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Oh i see...
he missed me and i had a crush on him a young girl.. |
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