Just announced - George Best is dead

gandalf

My father died recently in a similar fashion to George Best today. I feel for his family it is not a nice thing to watch as your loved one slowly passes away.

As for George yes he was a brilliant footballer but he did spurn his chances, then again the media put him under so much pressure watching his every move.

I hope the media now give his family room to grieve but I fear they won't.

RIP George Best.

Big Nelly

Some people are really sick!! this man had a illness, I have seen members of my family indure this and it is an illness....

Then a Legend dies and you gets comments that have been mentioned on here...if you have no respect for the man keep it to yourselves....God even BBC Radio 1 stopped all music to annouce this and they only usually do that for the death of a Royal member or a major event...9/11....shows the respect the people of the UK have for him and yet the people from his own country(not going into the whole NI thing) threat him like this....hang ur heads in shame!!

RIP George!! You are a legend!!

TerrorFirmer

aphex&#8482 wrote:

Who cares.

Whoever sold him that liver should be sent to jail.

"Sorry little girl, you'll have to wait for another liver- we've just sold it to some old man who quit football so he could become a mad raging alcoholic."

I would have felt sorry for him if he had died before the last transplant though.

I feel sorry for anybody that dies no matter how it occurs but this was, unfortuante as it is, deserved - how many people could have lived a great life with a new liver so desperately needed. He had a second chance that others never will and due to fault of his own he needed it in the first place.

Still though, he was a great player, and while I don't generally feel very sympathetic towards him, I think it's sad how he died and the circumstances and media circus that surrounded his horrible last few days.

Much respect to this family too.

rip

Green_Martian

RIP George, you are a Man Utd Legend

DMC

George, Rest in Peace.

Big Nelly

I hope that the people on the After Hours forum do not try and degrade George on this thread liek the thread in that forum....I like to feel everyone on here is footie fans and some of the comments on there are sick!! Please do not bother putting posts like that here!!

DMC

Big Nelly wrote:

Yeah thing I found strange was they stopped music and everything on BBC Radio 1 to announce it! they never do that unless Royalty or major event 9/11!!! shows how much the UK people respect him!!

TBH, he's got more coverage over the last two weeks, than even the Queen Mother when she died, and she was ill for a few weeks too.

Such is publicity.

gimmick

Let the media leave his family alone, they deserve to mourn their son/brother/father/friend.

Take care George - godspeed.

mchurl

His name says it all about the man

He was simply the best rip

DMC

His ould fella was very angry with the media outside, I'm sure he has strong views on how they have treated his son over the years.

finlma

RIP Georgie Boy - you'll never be forgotten.

Here's a story from the Observer just to show what a legend George is:

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam as one of their group qualifying matches for the World Cup. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. As it happened I sat beside George on the way to the stadium that evening.

Holland - midway between successive World Cup final appearances - and Johan Cruyff were at their peak at the time. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of the acknowledged world number one and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. 'Better than you?' I asked. George looked at me and laughed. 'You're kidding aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight... I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get.' And we both laughed at the thought.

Five minutes into the game he 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. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist into the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what this bravado act really meant. Johan Cruyff the best in the world? Are you kidding? Only an idiot would have thought that on this evening

Chong

Outstanding footballer, as Man United fan I am truely saddened, lets forget his misgivings for today at least the man deserves at least that.

R.I.P George Best

jamescrombie

Writen by Rodney Marsh

"Over the years people have criticised George, unmercifully in some cases. They don’t know him. Yet they form opinions based on what they have read, about what he has (or hasn’t done) OFF the football pitch. He’s an easy target but these people don’t know the real George.

Personally I have witnessed countless acts of generosity, raising money for underprivileged children, appearing at hospitals to shake hands and take photos with terminally ill kids, signing autographs until everyone has his signature.

He is a quiet and gentle man, funny and generous.

But you shouldn’t feel sorry for George Best. He is a deep thinker and extremely intelligent and he knows exactly the hand he has been dealt. He chooses to play it his way.

He is a genius, a flawed one maybe, but every true genius is. "

I think thats a nice way to but it. An excellent interview attached

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/rodney/best.html

Third_Echelon

Sad to see him pass way in such an awful way....

The people of Ireland should salute him for being Irish and being the best footballer that there has ever been.

Ultimately he was a victim of his own fame. A lot of people slagging him in this thread seem to forget that he was the first real superstar that was a footballer. There was no precident and well, he made all the mistakes that footballers are still making today, but there is help and assistance around today for them. He wasn't known as the 'fifth Beatle' for nothing. The press have always been part of his life, more in a negative way, but hopefully they back off him now in death...

Alcoholism is a disease like any other.

Take it easy George...

whiskeyman

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4316154.stm
The "Best of Best"... stories and highlights showing the legend.

March 9, 1966: Benfica 1-5 Man Utd. European Cup quarter-final, second-leg, Stadium of Light, Lisbon.

The night a legend was born.

United travelled to Lisbon with plans to carefully protect a 3-2 first-leg lead. Somebody forgot to tell Best.

Within 10 minutes United were 2-0 up, and Best's two goals inspired them to a 5-1 win, the first defeat Benfica had ever suffered in the European Cup at the Stadium of Light.

Best's goals were a neat, flicked header, and a run from the halfway line, leaving defenders in his wake before rounding the keeper.

After the game, a fan ran on to the pitch with a knife, intending to claim a lock of Best's hair

That last line says it all... fans were just bewildered by the mans talent.

Guy:Incognito

finlma wrote:

RIP Georgie Boy - you'll never be forgotten.

Here's a story from the Observer just to show what a legend George is:

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam as one of their group qualifying matches for the World Cup. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. As it happened I sat beside George on the way to the stadium that evening.

Holland - midway between successive World Cup final appearances - and Johan Cruyff were at their peak at the time. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of the acknowledged world number one and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. 'Better than you?' I asked. George looked at me and laughed. 'You're kidding aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight... I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get.' And we both laughed at the thought.

Five minutes into the game he 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. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist into the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what this bravado act really meant. Johan Cruyff the best in the world? Are you kidding? Only an idiot would have thought that on this evening

Great story, woyld love to see a clip of that. Someone send up the Eirebhoy signal.:)

Standard Toaster

One of my all time favourate Bestie quotes:

"It's true I spent 90% of my money on women and booze.
The other 10% I wasted!"

Legend.
RIP

Kablamo!

may he rest in peace.

Angels

Well alot of people posting here state 'He was a football legend'. I'd never even heard of the man until i saw a documentary on ITV (i think not sure) about his life. Now while it showed what a great footballer he was it also showed how messed up on alcohol he was. He had so much help from people thoughout the years & whilst he did try to give up drink it wasn't to be, even after having a liver transplant he couldn't stop drinking.

I do feel sorry for his family. It must have been horrible to see him die like he did. But i think he was given a second chance at life & still messed that up. The media have been terrible to him too & exploited him totally. It just goes to show that when the media get bored with reporting other stuff they have to move on and exploit a dying footballer!!

RIP George (the media can't get you now):)

Guy:Incognito

incisor71 wrote:

I can only feel sad for his family, most especially for his parents who didn't expect him to pre-decease them but, footballing legend or not, I can't say I feel sad for him.

His mother was also an alcoholic who died at 54.

Pal

RIP George


Would people with opinions kindly keep them private or go elsewhere.

Kingp35

Its a sad day for the world of football and especially for his family. i have been watching Sky Sports news and the tributes have been flooding in. The family gave a brief and highly emotional statement and my sympathies has to go out to them at a time like this.

I have a story that kind of sums up the life of the man.

Quite a few years ago now I had the pleasure to see A Night with George Best. One of the stories he recounted (which has since became annecdotal of the man) was along the lines of.......

George was in a hotel room. He'd just won 35 grand in a casino (then, an awful lot of money) which was thrown in cash on the bed. He'd ordered a load of champagne from room service. He was with the current Miss World who was showering in the bathroom. Room service arrived and after a brief conversation with the man the porter asked him "George, what went wrong with your life?"

George looked at the bathroom door and thought about the body beyond it, he looked at the bed and saw the cash, he looked at the bottle of Bolly in his hand.

"Wrong?"


He lived it the way he wanted to and he experienced so many things in his life. I would swap my life for his in a second. Because I am only 21 I never had the pleasure to see George Best play in the flesh but having seen him on TV and DVDs etc the man had everything. He had pace, strength for such a small guy, he could head the ball well. tackle well and above all he had tremendous skill and finishing abilities with both feet. Remember that he did all this at a time when football pitches were no more tham mud baths and referees didnt offer players half the protection that they do know. George Best was kicked around the pitch on alot of occasions but still made absolute fools out of some of the best players in the world. If he played today I think he would be even better, if thats possible, due to the imaculate pitches and players not allowed to be as physical now. He would run rings around everybody.

For me he was one of the best footballers this world has ever produced and its a sad day to lose him. A true legend and he will always be remembered.

George Best R.I.P.

A Dub in Glasgo

Rest in Peace

Bacchus

Feel sorry for all his family have been through. Legend of a footballer and it's sad to see him go the way he did. For such a fantastic sportsman to die from an alcohol addiction is truy sad. May he rest in peace.

seamus

I've stripped the crap out of the AH thread and merged it into the thread on the soccer forum.

Guy:Incognito

seamus wrote:

I've stripped the crap out of the AH thread and merged it into the thread on the soccer forum.

Think you missed post #72 there.


Anyone have the song about him jnockign around? think it goes something like Georgie, Georgie, they call him the belfast boy" or something similar.

PHB

I was wondering does anybody have a decent compliation of his greatest football moments online?

BaZmO*

Bye Bye Georgie Boy. A True Footballing Legend.

Big Nelly

Stekelly wrote:

Anyone have the song about him jnockign around? think it goes something like Georgie, Georgie, they call him the belfast boy" or something similar.

Played it on Radio 1.....Colin Murray very upset cause he was from same area in Belfast! class song!!

Culchie

Watching Sky News, I think one of the greatest tributes that can be made is that people are saying they became interested in football because of George Best.

Not many people can say that about their life.

Big Nelly

Culchie wrote:

Watching Sky News, I think one of the greatest tributes that can be made is that people are saying they became interested in football because of George Best.

Not many people can say that about their life.

I think you will find the big influx of Irish supporters into the UK game scene started around the same time as George Best and players like him where playing for Man Utd and so on. It was because of players like this that people living in Ireland started to support teams in UK!

Culchie

Yes.

I'm not a Manchester United fan, but without Manchester United, well football just wouldn't be football (especially for us Irish fans).

George Best was Manchester United. He was the heart of the club, he is what made United, and that sense of charisma/mystique that no other club has.

I can't pay a higher tribute.

okidoki987

Somebody reckoned it would be the BIGGEST funeral since a member of the Royal Family, now that would be a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players of all time.

Pighead

Sarky wrote:

*Shrug*

Why on earth do you need to let others know you dont give a fcuk?A much better way to convey this is to simply stay out of the thread.
RIP George Best

Big Nelly

In common with the rest of English football, Sheffield Wednesday will be observing a minute's silence before Saturday's Championship fixture against Stoke City, as a mark of respect to George Best, who died on Friday.

The directors, players, coaches and staff of Sheffield Wednesday join with the football world in expressing their sadness at the passing of a true footballing legend.

Hopefully this will pass throughout UK without any problems!!

CrimE

Rest in Peace, hero.

Nunu

Football has lost its greatest ever talent today. Now is the time to remember what he gave to the footballing public through his unparalleled brilliance on the pitch because that is our only association with him. We are not entitled to judge George on his alcoholism and the problems it caused because we didn't know him and that is his private life. But, sadly the self righteous can never seem to keep their mouths shut.

R.I.P. George Best - the original total footballer.

cournioni

Rest in peace George... Your name said it all...

Simply the BEST.

wheres me jumpa

Its all well and good looking back at clips but it would have been fantastic to have seen him back then and experienced what it was like to be watching a player with such talents for the first time.

R.I.P.

radiospan

George Best
Cork Celtic 1975 - 1976
R.I.P.

eirebhoy

MobileInfantry wrote:

I feel sorry for anybody that dies no matter how it occurs but this was, unfortuante as it is, deserved - how many people could have lived a great life with a new liver so desperately needed. He had a second chance that others never will and due to fault of his own he needed it in the first place.

Alcoholism is a disease that probably has to be experienced to be understood. He swore he would never touch a drop after his transplant. How can you blame him for giving in? He took his own life. Its not as if he stole a liver out of a jar. I have a friend of 25 and he has been in hospital on numerous occasions because of drink. He was told (not advised) to quit. He stops for a couple of months, then goes on the shandies, then the pints, then the spirits, then hospital. He knows he has a good chance of dying but doesn't seem bothered and he's a young man. Let Wenger describe it:

“Firstly, it was part of the culture of the game at that time. Also I feel we are not all equal in front of addiction,” he said.

“When some get hooked, they can’t get off any more. Even after his surgery, to think of drinking again, you must really be addicted. But in the end, no matter what he did, people always forgave him because of his special charisma.

“It was the same for Diego Maradona. Players like that get more publicity than those like Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, who behave completely anonymously.

“But he was so used to getting out of tricky situations you are in shock now he has died. You expected him to get out of it again.”


Considering he pretty much packed in his career at 26 he must have been one hell of a player to earn the praise he does today.

Pele
"George Best is the best player in the world"

Maradona (when asked: Who was his own footballing hero?)
"George Best. He's my idol."

Eusebio
“At a moment like this there are no words enough to define the man.”

DMC

Anybody looking for the "Belfast Boy" track, its by Don Fardon, and I see it on allofmp3.com (the russian mp3 pay site)

Mossy Monk

a true legend when he played
R.I.P.

whiskeyman

Just listening to BBC5live tribute show.
Made the point how Best always loved the idea of an "all Ireland" soccer team.
Imagine Keano captaining an all Ireland team against England in Old Trafford next year.
Some tribute that would be.... and could well happen as talks for a Ireland Vs England friendly are in talks anyway.

scojones

Just watched a tribute programme on bbc. A true legend, without a doubt in my mind, the best player this world has ever seen.

R.I.P George, you will never be forgotten.

header

to george best
you quite simply were the best better than all the rest
on the feild you were quite breathtaking with your twinkleing toes
what goals u scored quite amazinthey were world class
thanks bestie for all the menories you gave us rip george


.

YeatsCounty

I could write a glowing tribute to George Best on his footballing life, but that has been done countless times already.

So all I'll say is Rest in Peace George Best. You were a footballing legend and you will never be fotgotting by the worldwide football community.

county

RIP,a true legend

Rovi

First post on the soccer forum, and it was this sad event that prompted me to request access.

My own father died about ten years ago under similar circumstances (without all the media hullabaloo, of course), and George's family and friends have my deepest sympathy.
Shame on those bleating on about 'wasted second chances' and other such nonsense! I hope that the spectre of alcoholism never impinges itself into their utopian ivory towers, but I defy anyone to deny a loved one a second chance if they find themselves in the same situation.

RIP Georgie, and thanks for all the wonderful memories.

.

DMC

Celtic are to have a minutes applause, instead of a silence...