Farewell Georgie

Keiran Harris reminisces about the life of a footballing genius who sadly passed away over the weekend.

If ever there was a player that represented pure footballing genius, it was undoubtedly George Best.

The man considered the best British footballer in history and arguably the most talented of all time, has sadly passed away this week largely as a result of his well documented 'playboy' lifestyle which cut a glittering career short of what would surely have been universally recognised aptly enough as 'the best'.

Blessed with quite simply stunning ability, the man from Belfast thrilled footballing crowds throughout his emotional career when he starred most notably for Manchester United from 1963 to 1974, playing 466 games for the club scoring 178 goals in the process.

He was admired at home and abroad by all football players and fans regardless of allegiance, with Pele himself describing Best as 'incomparable' and at one stage 'the world's best player'.

His great Portuguese rival Eusebio summed up the thoughts of many this week when he said succinctly "At a moment like this there are no words enough to define the man."

George was a player who could truly be considered the complete footballer. He is typically remembered as the master of the individual game, and perhaps with the exception of Maradona there are none who can claim to have changed games as single handedly as the famous no.7 did.

Fullbacks feared him, team mates just tried to accommodate him, as for Best it was not enough to simply beat a player.

Rather George had to constantly remind the opposition of his talent with the kind of humiliation only produced by the greatest, taking as much joy from sticking the ball between a defender's legs as the most prolific of strikers would from scoring a goal.

Allied to his skill with the ball at his feet he was a deadly finisher, tremendous passer, terrific header and even determined tackler of the ball as his indomitable spirit would carry his side to victory as much as his talent.

George's time at Manchester United coincided with one of the greatest periods in the history of the famous club, as a pivotal part of Sir Matt Busby's rebuilt squad following the Munich Air Disaster in 1958 which robbed United of some of their finest ever players including the legendary Duncan Edwards.

His time in Manchester garnered numerous club honours including two league titles, but perhaps his greatest ever triumph was against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final with Wembley as the suitable venue.

Bobby Charlton had put Manchester United into the lead but the Portuguese giants equalised through Graca, forcing the game into the daunting prospect of extra time.

Up stepped Georgie, who after collecting the ball from a flick on beautifully tucked the ball past his marker before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home to give United the lead and the massive psychological advantage.

Further goals from Charlton and Kidd gave the Reds a hugely impressive 4-1 victory to deliver the biggest prize in club football to the great Sir Matt Busby, but everyone lucky enough to be at the match had known it wouldn't have been possible without the mercurial genius of Best.

He formed part of the 'holy trinity' as it was known, and along with the other members Bobby Charlton and Denis Law he too claimed a European Player of the Year award in 1968.

Unfortunately George never graced the massive stage that is the World Cup for his native Northern Ireland, although he was the shining light for his country earning 37 appearances.

But it would be foolish to look at the man as simply a footballer as Georgie Best became the very first 'pop-star' celebrity from the game, gathering the infamous nickname of 'the fifth Beatle' along the way.

And it was this glamorous lifestyle that would prove defining in the premature end to his Manchester United career, and shape the direction of his coming years.

In 1970 he scored a remarkable six goals in one game in an FA cup tie with Northampton, but his off the field troubles were beginning to impact his performances on it.

In 1971 Best missed the train taking his team to a match in London with Chelsea and rather spent the weekend with actress Sinead Cusack, earning a two week suspension for one of his many all too public relationships.

More late-night drinking and missed training sessions led to a much publicised weekend with Miss Great Britain Carolyn Moore, as football seemed to take a backseat to the alcohol and women in George's life.

One of the myriad of famous quotes on women by the brilliant yet tormented individual sums up his popularity amongst the opposite gender: "They say I slept with seven Miss Worlds. I didn't - it was only four - I didn't turn up for the other three."

After initially announcing his retirement from football altogether in 1972 he was tempted back to United by new manager Tommy Docherty, only to leave for good after playing his final league match for the club on New Years Day 1974.

One of the biggest tragedies in the history of football for many is the fact George Best played his last game for Manchester United at the age of only 27, a time when he should have been entering his peak as a player.

His career was not entirely finished however and he went on to play for almost innumerable clubs in several countries, most prominently in America for the L.A. Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes.

George even had a short stint in Australia for the Brisbane Lions in 1983, and although at the age of 37 he was well below the zenith of his career Aussies can still claim to have hosted one of best players of all time at least for a short while.

While in modern times the term 'superstar' might be given rather too easily George Best truly lived up to the lofty title, on and off the pitch.

His footballing wizardry will be remembered fondly by anyone fortunate enough to witness it, and through the magic of technology has transcended generations with his immeasurable influence.

A truly magnificent footballer and a wonderful person, on behalf of football fans in Australia and all around the world, George Best will never be forgotten.

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