If anyone is interested in learning more about the man described by Pele as the best in the world, there is a fantastic documentary on BBC iPlayer - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08s3wxj It is a hard hitting documentary which shows his rise to being the best in the world at one point of his career, to the struggles he had with alcoholism. I think George gets a lot of unfair criticism for the way he lived his life and this documentary shares that idea. He was simply a kid with a gift that was unable to handle the fame and stardom that came with it. Well worth a watch.
I saw him play at Highbury when I was about 7 or 8. I realised even at that young age what a player he was. I can't remember much but I can picture him on the pitch. Genius is an overused word but he was. People forget he played over 400 games for United and got kicked or people attempted to kick him to bits in most of them.
I had a stall at a little Antiques & Collectors Fair at Kidlington last Saturday (incidentally, will be at the Grand Vintage Fair in St. Albans this coming Saturday !). Chap comes up and enquires whether I had any Barnsley or Northampton items with me, as his Dad (Eric Brookes) played for the clubs in the 60's/early 70's. Had my boxes of general 1960's programmes with me, we had a rummage and found nine programmes featuring his father, which he duly bought. He then asks "Do you have Northampton v. Manchester United in the F.A. Cup from 1970 ?". I replied that I hadn't, but said "That's the game when George Best scored six". "Yes...." he sighed. "Dad was TRYING to mark him !!!"
George Best made three appearances against the Hornets while a United player.. without getting on the scoresheet. You can read reports & previews of those 3 games here.. Fa cup 4th round Jan 1969 https://oldwatford.com/1969/01/ (note George in the pic) Fa cup 4th round replay Feb 1969 https://oldwatford.com/1969/02/ Fa cup 3rd place play off April 70 (at Highbury) https://oldwatford.com/1970/04/ Best did eventually put one past the Hornets.. but does anyone know who he was playing for at the time?
I can only assume we were on the receiving end in one of his handful of games for Stockport, 1975-76 ???
Correct. The second of his 3 appearances for Stockport in Dec 75 was against the Horns and he netted the opening goal in a 2-2 draw. It was an old fourth division game.
I was lucky enough to win a competition to be coached by Keegan, Clemence and Best in about 84. It was being filmed for a six part TV programme on LWT called Keegans Kids. The QPR youth players at the time helped out as it was at Loftus Road and the difference in ability between them and Best was incredibly large. He was just incredible with the ball at his feet and a really nice bloke as well. I did video it at the time but it has been lost as I scored a 25 yard free kick past Ray Clemence.
I know nothing of this but Ray Clemence,like many Spurs players,used to live (may still) in Broxbourne. We saw him in the Anne of Cleves pub with what used to be known as 'Dolly Birds'. He had terrible feet!
He genuinely seemed like such a nice, down to earth and intelligent person. Just shows what alcohol can do to someone.
I agree, a great documentary. A great player and, in his younger years he seemed a really decent guy. Yes, it is easy to criticise as he certainly ****ed things right up, but I wonder how any young man suddenly thrust into the media hype and limelight, that was new phenomenon for a footballer in those days, would cope. I was voted player of the season in my Sunday League team in the same year as I won the under 18 Hertfordshire Golf Championship. The sudden fame and fortune was difficult to handle. There for the grace...!
My friend has told me about a similar documentary about Gazza, potentially on netflix so it is next on my list. I imagine the comparisions between the two are very strong, thankfully there does not seem to be as much of a problem with alcoholism within the modern game. I wonder how different George Best's life would have been if he had the guidance today's stars get. The same goes for Gazza (unless he only began heavily drinking after he finished playing, my knowledge on his career is very poor as it was a bit before my time!)
Got this downloaded on my phone for flights on Monday when I'm on the last leg where there are no movies or when I'm with my partner in the airport and she's rabbiting.... Haha.
Agree an interesting documentary. Almost like he achieved so much too soon and due to his insecurities couldn't find a way to cope other than to escape through alcohol. It seems he knew what had caused his illness (even if he couldn't stop it) and wanted everyone to know to avoid them doing the same.
Yea, it took him a while to realise though! One part that struck me was an interview with him while he was still young and he talked about drinking every day.. and the interviewer asked him if he was ever worried he was an alcoholic and he replied saying no, that he didn't 'need' the drink, he just enjoyed it. I imagine that is a stage of denial many alcoholics go through.
Saw the gazza one, think it was on itv4 a month ago, really really good, he talked about things that were not in his book, well worth a watch even if you don't like him, met him a couple of times and he really was mad and signed every autograph no matter how many people wanted one, also at training gave away all his kit to kids, used to drive the kit man mad
