GEORGE BEST, THE GENIUS!

"I think I've found you a genius."
Telegram from United scout Bob Bishop to Matt Busby

George Best Clubs: Manchester United, Stockport County, Fulham, Bournemouth
Position: Winger
Appearances*: 579
Goals*: 205
Honours: League Championship, 2
European Cup, 1

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* League appearances and goals only

Considered by many to be the greatest ever British player, George Best had everything - pace, strength, balance, creativity and incredible ball control.
A two-footed player, he was excellent in the air, strong in the tackle, and a lethal finisher.

Manchester United

Best was discovered by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop in 1963, and signed up after a trial.
He made his United debut, aged 17, on 14 September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion.
His second appearance, and first United goal, came on 28 December against Burnley, in a 5-1 win.
In all he played 26 times that first season, scoring six goals, as United finished as runners-up to Liverpool.
In his second season, United won the title, while Best's stunning skills and good looks were already drawing attention, the Portuguese press dubbing him "O Quinto Beatle" (The fifth Beatle), after a match against Benfica.

European Champion

In 1966/67 Manchester United were champions again, and the following season, arguably Best's finest, they lifted the European Cup.
Best played a starring role in the 4-1 defeat of Benfica, scoring a brilliant individual goal. That year he was crowned European Footballer of the Year and also Football Writers' Player of the Year.
He was at the peak of his career, and looked set to win many more honours, but Best found it difficult to deal with the pressure of celebrity, and his self-destructive streak saw his career quickly spiral out of control.
On the pitch, there were fractured relationships with his team-mates, off it there were drinking, gambling and womanizing.

Career after United

It had to come to a head, and it did, in 1974, as Best walked away from United at the age of just 27.
He had made 470 appearances, scoring 179 goals. In six consecutive season's he'd been the club's top scorer. In 1967/68, he'd been the top scorer in the division.
The following decade saw him play for a succession of clubs around the world, with mixed success.
He enjoyed a brief resurgence of form with Fulham in 1976/77 and also produced some good displays in the US for LA Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes. But he never quite reproduced the dazzling displays of his heyday.
Best joined his last club, Bournemouth, in 1982, playing 5 games before retiring at the age of 37.

International career

George Best was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, and scored nine goals.
He continued to be selected for Northern Ireland throughout the troubled 1970's, but never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup.
Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham apparently considered him for the 1982 tournament, but given Best's age and problems with drink, the idea was soon abandoned.

Life after Football

After retiring, Best continued to be in demand as a football pundit, and on the after-dinner circuit. In 1998, he became a member of Sky's Soccer Saturday team and was a regular on the show until 2004.
He suffered from alcoholism throughout his adult life, and was arrested on a number of drink-related charges.
In 1984, he received a three-month prison sentence for drunk driving, and assaulting a police officer.
Best was also arrested on a charge of assault, after punching a Manchester waitress, but was later acquitted.

Death

In August 2002, he had a successful liver transplant at King's College Hospital in London. However, against medical advice, he continued drinking and was sometimes seen at his local pub in Surbiton, Greater London.
On 3 October 2005 he was admitted to intensive care at the Cromwell Hospital in London. He died on 25 November 2005 as a result of multiple organ failure.
Best was buried at the Roselawn Cemetery on 3 December 2005. 100,000 mourners turned up to show their respects.

Tributes

On 22 May 2006, Belfast City Airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport as a tribute to Best.
On the first anniversary of his death, Ulster Bank issued one million commemorative five pound notes - they sold out in five days.
Plans for a new national stadium in Northern Ireland include a proposed statue of Best.
George Best was an inaugural inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame.