GEORGE BEST- A TALENT THAT COMES ONCE IN A CENTURY

„In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol- it was the worst 20 minutes of my life“

George Best was a footballer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was born on 22 of May in 1946. He is considered by many one of the best football players in history. His brilliant career was short due to alcohol. He is regarded as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of football. He played as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is famous for his unique style of play: combined pace, skills, balance, both footwork, goal scoring ability... 

He was the first child of Richard and Anne Best. He had four sisters and one brother. His father was an iron turner in shipyards while his mother never had a fulltime job. She worked in an ice cream factory, cigarette factory... She worked just to bring a few pounds more to the house. Also his mother was a very good hockey player who also played for their country and he went to watch her when he was young. His mother said that he started to play with a ball when he was only 10 months old. He played everywhere. He also took the ball into his bed. 

-Best with only 15 months

He started his career at Manchester United. He was spotted in his early years in Belfast by a Man. United scout. Until then he played for some local clubs. Manchester United scout Bob Bishop said to Matt Busby: „Boss, I think I've found you a genius.“ He went to Manchester and stayed for a few days but he was sick. He went home but his father called Matt Busby and he gave him another chance. He was only 15 years old. He made his debut aged 17 and went to play for 11 years for the red side of Manchester. Star was born and he started to enjoy football. Crowd went crazy for his dribblings in his debut match against WBA. George became addicted to football and he started developing his abilities. Already in his young age his reputation started to grow. He soon became the driving force in United team with Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. But for him it was very hard to leave home at young age because he didn't had parents to ask for any advise.

„He put a ball through my legs and he did it again and did the third time and I said: Son do that again and I'll break your bloody neck.“ Harry Gregg about George Best. 

The European Cup (todays Champions League) was one of the main obsesses for Manchester United. In 1966 they faced Benfica in the quarter-final. First leg United won 3-2 on home field. In the second match George Best was „Red Devils“ hero with two goals. Benfica was very strong at that time. They had Coluna and Eusebio. This was one of George best matches for United. He was later on the front pages of newspapers which was very rare to see footballers on front pages. He became a „pop-star“ footballer. „The return of el Beatle“. He was something like Elvis Presley in football. One of the first celebrity footballers. At that time the first problems came out. He went out more, girls were always around him, he started to drink. He was only 19 years old. About the European Cup that season Manchester didn't win it and they had to wait for a few more seasons.

-George Best returning to England after 5-1 win over Benfica

In the 1968 European Cup final they faced Benfica in Wembley Stadium. Best and Chartlon vs Coluna, Eusebio and others. George Best was in terrific form. 1-1 after 90 minutes. In extra time Manchester scored three more goals and won European Cup, first in their history. First extra time goal was from George Best. He received an air ball, passed through last defender, dribbled keeper and scored on empty net. Other two where scored by Kidd and Charlton. This European Cup trophy was very emotional for him, Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton. It was won 10 years after the Munich air disaster. At that time Best was only 22.

After that European Cup glory things didn't go well for George. He won the most important trophy at club level. Now what? Later also Matt Busby retired and Best considered him as a very important person in his life. He was sent off several times during the season. Best started looking for new things to replace the excitement he got from football. He became a star of night clubs. He was looking for happiness in things that can not give you happiness like alcohol or sex. He become addict. He started to miss trainigs. New managers failed to control the wayward player. George once said: „I am my own enemy.“ His mother was bad because of that but his father had a strong character. He achieved everything before he was 22 and he got totally confused. He won the Ballon d'Or. He played for United till 1974. After that European Cup trophy everyone expected that club woud win even more trophies but they didn't. George Best didn't play as in previous years. And the club wasn't one the same level after Busby left. After 1968 George was lost. He didn't know where to go. His interviews were like: „My bottle a day“ or „For the last few years all I've done is drink“.  

His later career wasn't great. He played for a lot of different clubs and in a lot of testimonial and charity matches. He played in the NASL where played with a lot of other great players such as Pele, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Eusebio... He was 29 at that time. In the United States he played for Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes. He didn't stop drinking. Before America he played for Stockport and Cork Celtic. When the league season in America was off he played two years in Fulham and Hibernian. The biggest problem was alcohol and there were not much clubs who were ready to take risks with him. During matches he had his period of brilliance but most of the match he was invisible. For example in his first match with Fort Lauderdale Strikers he scored a hat-trick in a 5-3 win.

In October 1978 his mother died. She was also addicted to alcohol in the last years of her life. George Best blamed himself because he should have been there or at least he should have called or wrote. It was a guilt that he carried for some time. His mother's death was a reason for him to drink more.

He later found out that he is going to be a dad so he was looking for help to quit drinking. And that time he was playing for San Jose and they helped him with that. During his time in Earthquakes he scored probably the best goal of his career where he dribbled in a slalom through several defenders in the box and scored a goal. Goalkeeper couldn't do anything. 

Even when his child was born he didn't stop to drink. He later played for Bournemouth, Brisbane Lions, Tobermore United... He played for a lot of clubs only one or maybe two matches just to earn some money. 

Best got married twice. With Angie and Alex. With his first wife he got his son Calum who was born in 1981. After he finished his football career he didn't stop drinking. Because of alcohol he was several times in prison and lost his driving licence. In the early 2000s he had big liver problems. In 2001 he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. In 2002 he had a successful liver transplant. Even after liver transplant he continued to drink. In October 2005 he was admitted to intensive care to a hospital. He was suffering from a kidney infection. He died on 25th November 2005. He was 59 years old. Over 100 000 people came to his funeral. 

"What would you want people to think about you? Well I know what they really think. They'll forget all the rubbish when I am gone and they'll remember football, it's simple as that. And I don't give a toss about everything else as long as they remember the football and if only one person thinks I was the best player in the world that will do for me because that was what it was all about as far as I am concern." (radio interview two months before his death). 

-George Best last picture and interview: "Don't die like me"

Here I will try to represent his career in pictures during time in Manchester United but also in other clubs in which he played. Of course it is impossible to find all pictures of clubs in which he played. Let's start with "official" clubs in which George Best played. Matches and goals stats are taken from the book: Remember me for my football, George Best: For the record. Authors are: Phil Hughes and Paul Collier. I also included his record for the youth team of Man. United. 

-Manchester United youth team 1963/64

George Best's first competitive game in a Manchester United shirt came on 9th September 1961 in a Lancashire league Division 1 fixture. He was 15 when he played for the A team in 2-1 home win against Stockport County. What is Lancashire league? It is a league competition for junior sides with two divisions (Division 1 and 2). George Best played in both those leagues for Manchester United A and B teams. He played 3 seasons for Manchester United youth squads. In those seasons he played in both Lancashire leagues plus in FA Youth cup and in Reserves- central league.

1961/62: 27 matches / 12 goals

Lancashire League Division 1: 5 / 2

Lancashire League Division 2: 22 / 10

1962/63: 30 matches / 26 goals

Lancashire League Division 1: 10 / 7

Lancashire League Division 2: 18 / 19

Fa Youth Cup: 2 / 0

1963/64: 18 matches / 15 goals

Lancashire League Division 1: 5 / 7

FA Youth Cup: 5 / 5

Reserves- Central League: 8 / 3

In 1963/64 season he played for United junior team, reserves and seniors. 

Manchester United 1963/64: 27 matches / 6 goals

League Division 1: 17 / 4

FA Cup: 7 / 2

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 2 / 0

Friendlies: 1 / 0

When George Best began the 1963/64 season no one could possibly have anticipated the impact that he would have on the game of football. His campaign began on 24th August when he made his debut for reserves in a home game against Sheffield Wednesday and helped the side to a 4-0 victory. His performance brought his elevation to the first team following against the same opponent at Old Trafford. His first goal for the senior team came on 28th December 1963 against Burnley. Best scored once in 5-1 victory.

 

Manchester United 1964/65: 61 match / 15 goals

League Division 1: 41 / 10 (missed only one match)

FA Cup: 7 / 2

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 11 / 2

Friendlies: 2 / 1

In his second season he played much more. More than double then in the first season. 59 matches in which he scored 14 goals. He became one of the main players in United. Best won his first league title. 

Manchester United 1965/66 (Reddish maid): 45 matches / 17 goals

FA Charity Shield: 1 / 1

League Division 1: 31 / 9

FA Cup:  5 / 3

European Cup: 6 / 4

Friendlies: 2 / 0

One of his best matches for "Red Devils". 5-1 win in Portugal over Benfica. George Best scored two goals. He came back to  England with a sombrero on his head and became a "pop-star footballer". 17 goals in 43 matches. 

Manchester United 1966/67 (A&BC gum): 61 matches / 23 goals

League Division 1: 42 / 10 (he played in all league matches)

FA Cup: 2 / 0

League Cup: 1 / 0

Friendlies: 16 / 13

His second but also last league title with United. 10 goals in 45 matches. 

Manchester United 1967/68 (FKS): 54 matches / 32 goals

FA Charity Shield: 1 / 0

League Division 1: 41 / 28

FA Cup: 2 / 1

European Cup: 9 / 3

Friendlies: 1 / 0

His best season with United. 32 goals in 53 matches. Most goals in one season. He won the European Cup trophy. First for Man. United. He scored one goal in extra time of the final match against Benfica. United won 4 to 1. After this achievement and also the Ballon d'Or award, which he won later, his career went downhill. He started to drink more and look for pleasure in some other things.

Manchester United 1968/69 (FKS): 57 matches / 23 goals

League Division 1: 41 / 19

World Club Championship: 2 /0

FA Cup: 6 / 1

European Cup: 6 / 2

Friendlies: 2 / 1

George Best was sent off for the first time in his career. It was in a second match vs Estudiantes in a World club championship. Solid season for Best as he scored 22 goals in 55 matches. Manchester reached semi final of European Cup where they lost to a Milan. 

Manchester United 1969/70 (FKS): 63 matches / 30 goals

League Division 1: 37 / 15

League Cup: 8 / 2

FA Cup: 8 / 6

Friendlies: 10 / 7

The season began with managerial changes which saw Sir Matt Busby elevated to General Manager while McGuinness became Chief Coach responsible for team selection. The changes had a disastrous effect on early form as United failed to win any of their opening six league games.

At the end of the League Cup semi-final 1st leg tie at Manchester City Best knocked the ball from the hands of the referee. Best was fined for £100 and suspended for four weeks. George returned from his ban to play in the FA Cup 5th round tie at Northampton Town. He scored six times in an 8-2 win. George finished as the team's top goal scorer for the third season in succession. 

Best repeated season like previous but United started to lose from smaller teams. They finished 8th in the league. 23 goals in 53 official matches. After European Cup glory everybody expected that United will win more titles but they didn't. 

Manchester United 1970/71 (FKS): 55 matches / 25 goals

League Division 1: 40 / 18

Watney Cup: 3 / 1*

League Cup: 6 / 2

FA Cup: 2 / 1

Friendlies: 4 / 3

Same place in the league as in the previous season. He scored 22 goals in 51 matches. He was 3rd placed for Ballon d'Or award. In January 1971 Best missed  the train taking the United team to their league game at Chelsea. He took a later train to London but decided to spend the weekend with actress Sinead Cusack instead. The club suspended him for two weeks. He again finished as the team's top scorer.

*Watney Cup was a competition founded in 1970 (abolished in 1973). It was held before the start of the new season and was contested by two teams who scored most goals in every first four leagues in the previous season (Division 1 to Division 4). 8 teams in total.

Manchester United 1971/72 (FKS): 59 matches / 30 goals

League Division 1: 40 / 18

Watney Cup: 1 / 1

League Cup: 6 / 3

FA Cup: 7 / 5

Friendlies: 5 / 3

Season started great for the "Red Devils". They were top on the table by Christmas but with 7 defeats in a row they ruined everything till then. Best was United's best player that season. He scored 27 goals in all competitions. Same place in the league like in previous two seasons.  

Manchester United 1972/73 (FKS): 25 matches / 6 goals

League Division 1: 19 / 4

League Cup: 4 / 2

Friendlies: 2 / 0

Already in previous seasons he started to miss training. He was also sent off several times. He planned to retire from football after last season but he didn't. He played only 23 matches in which he scored 6 goals. He planned to retire for the second time in his life but he continued to train. 

Manchester United 1973/74 (Top Sellers): 19 matches / 3 goals

Reserves- Central League: 1 / 0

League Division 1: 12 / 2

Friendlies: 6 / 1

During the summer of 1973 Best declared that he would not play football again. However, in late August, United chairman Louis Edwards stated that he would like the Irishman to begin training with the club. Coach Tommy Docherty was also keen to have Best back in the squad. Best announced that he would like to give football another try. This was his last season with Manchester's club. Best played only 12 matches and scored 2 goals. His last match was on 1 January 1974. United got relegated. 

Dunstable Town 1974: 3 matches / 0 goals (all friendlies)

Next stop in his career was Southern League side Dunstable Town. He came there because of his former teammate Barry Fry who was a Dunstable player/manager. Club had big ambitious plans but Best played only three friendly matches for them: against Manchester United, Cork Celtic and Luton Town. Because of their heavy spending, the club bankrupt. 

Jewish Guild 1974: 4 matches / 1 goal

He signed a lucrative short term deal to play for a South African club. Best had not played competitive football for five months and his arrival generated considerable interest. Best played in four games for Johannesburg's club and they managed to win only one.  He also scored only one goal and it was in the last match vs Durban United. His team lost 1-2. It was a whirlwind seven days of football for George and while he benefited financially his displays proved a disappointment. 

 
Stockport County 1975/76: 4 matches / 3 goal
Friendly: 1 / 1
League Division 4: 3 / 2

In the newspaper there was a headline: BEST signs for Stockport in the fourth division. He had agreed to play in three games and the first one was against Swansea. Before his debut match with Stockport he played in a friendly match vs First Division side Stoke City. Just to get better with his new teammates. Best scored a fine second half goal from a free kick as the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In his first official match with the County club there was three times more crowd then usual. Almost all of them came to see George. Best scored one goal in a 3-2 win. His next match was against Watford. He scored once again in a 2-2 draw. His last match was against Southport. Again, a lot of people came to see George. His team won 1-0. 

Cork Celtic 1976: 3 matches / 0 goals
Bass league of Ireland: 3 / 0

In 1976 he had a brief spell with Ireland side Cork Celtic. He made his debut in "League of Ireland" against Drogheda. The interest in the game caused the match to be switched from Cork's Turner's Cross ground to the larger Flower Lodge venue. A crowd of 12 000 people witnessed George and his team mates lose 2-0 to Drogheda. He played only three league matches for the Ireland club. Other two were against Bohemians and Shelbourne. His performance against Shelbourne reporter described as "easy money for a player who showed he simply did not want to be involved". The following day Best was sacked by his club for „his lack of enthusiasm“.

Los Angeles Aztecs 1976: 24 matches / 15 goals (include 1 playoff match)

After Ireland he moved to the United States. For the LA club he played in 3 occasions (seasons) because when there was off seasons in American football he came back to play in Europe. Almost 20 000 people attended his first match for LA. His side lost 2-1 from Earthquakes. During the season Best scored his first and only hat-trick in NASL. It was in a 8-0 win against Boston. George Best's first season in NASL had proved a success. He missed  just one game. He finished as the club's top scorer and added seven assists. The Aztecs were kicked-out in the first playoff round by the Dallas Tornado. 

Fulham 1976/77 (FKS): 42 matches / 9 goals

League Division 2: 32 / 6

Reserves- Football combination: 1/0

League Cup: 3/2

FA Cup: 2/0

Friendlies: 4 /1 (including Frank Lampard and Les Barrett testimonial matches)

He played for Fulham in the second division of England football. He made his return to English football on 4th September in the home game against Bristol Rovers. A crowd of about 21 000 came to watch him and former QPR and Manchester City star Rodney Marsh. Best fired Craven Cottage after only 71 seconds. He scored the only goal in that match. In February 1977 he was involved in a car crash which forced him to miss the next five games. At the end of the season they finished in 17th place and avoided relegation by two points. The signing of Best and Marsh had brought considerable interest to Craven Cottage though the results had proved extremely erratic. 32 league matches and 6 goals. 

Los Angeles Aztecs 1977: 25 matches / 13 goals (include 5 playoff matches)

Second season with Aztecs. During season more than 57 000 people attended match to see Pele's Cosmos versus Best's Aztecs. Pele scored a hat-trick while Best scored one goal in 2-5 defeat. The Aztecs were later kicked in the playoff semi-finals against the Seattle Sounders. Besides 13 goals he added 26 assists. Great season for him. 

Fulham 1977/78 (Topps): 12 matches / 3 goals

League Division 2: 10 / 2

Anglo-Scottish cup: 1 / 1

Friendlies: 1/0

Last season in Fulham. He didn't win any trophy there but he later said that he enjoyed his time with the club from Craven Cottage. 10 matches and 2 goals. 

Los Angeles Aztecs 1978: 12 matches / 1 goal

Back to America. 3rd period with the LA club in which he played 12 matches with one goal. 

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1978: 14 matches / 5 goals (5 playoff matches)

He continued to play in NASL but with Fort Lauderdale, a club from Florida. In his debut match he scored twice in 5-3 win against NY Cosmos. George Best and Strikers lost in a Conference Championship final to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Solid season for Best in Fort Lauderdale Strikers as he scored 5 goals and added 3 assists.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1979: 19 matches / 2 goals

Second season with a club from Florida. Best played 19 matches and added 2 goals. 

Hibernian 1979/80: 19 matches / 3 goals

Scottish Premier Division: 13 / 3

Scottish FA Cup: 3 / 0

Friendlies: 3 / 0

He joined a Scottish club who was in the relegation zone. Best was signed on "pay per play". He received £2,000 for every match he played. More than 20 000 fans came to visit his first home game for Scottish club. Best's every touch was greeted with applause. In his match vs Rangers, away fans throw beer cans at him when he was trying to took a corner. He picked up one of them and he took a drink from it. He later scored a goal in a match vs Celtic. Due to alcohol he also missed some matches. Once he got drunk with the France international rugby team. With Best in the squad Hibs still got relegated. 

San Jose Earthquakes 1980: 26 matches / 8 goals

He came back to Florida to play for San Jose. His new club was coached by his former teammate Bill Foulkes. 

  

Hibernian 1980/81: 6 matches / 0 goals

Scottish Division 1: 4 / 0

League Cup: 2 / 0

He came back to play for Hibernian in the second division. He played only 4 matches plus two in the League Cup. Season was great for Hibernian as they finished first and successfully returned to the Premier League. 

San Jose Earthquakes 1980/81 (NASL indoor): 12 matches / 23 goals


San Jose Earthquakes 1981: 30 matches / 13 goals (only two matches missed)


San Jose Earthquakes 1981 (British tour): 4 matches / 0 goals

In October 1981 Best played for Quakes in a British Tour. He played in all four matches without scoring a goal. In that tour they played against Hibernian, Linfield, Motherwell and Brentford. They managed to draw vs Linfield while they lost the other three matches. His former club Hibernian defeated Quakes 3-1 while Motherwell won 5-2. Brentford trashed them 8-2. In the picture George Best during the match against Motherwell. 

 
San Jose Earthquakes 1982 (NASL indoor): 5 matches / 8 goals 

George Best's NASL career ended after playing five indoor league matches of the 1981/82 season.

Hong Kong Rangers 1982: 2 matches / 0 goals (Hong Kong league First Division)
Sea Bee 1982: 2 matches / 0 goals (Hong Kong league First Division)

After failing to agree terms with Bolton he was invited as a guest player and played four matches for two Hong Kong First Division teams: Sea Bee and Rangers.

 
Bournemouth 1982/83: 6 matches / 0 goals

League Division 3: 5 / 0

Friendly: 1 / 0

He was almost 37 years old when he signed for the Third Division side. A crowd of over 9000 attended George's first match where he played in an unfamiliar role as centre-forward. 

Brisbaine Lions 1983: 4 matches / 0 goals

He played for theAustralian club as a guest player in the National Soccer league of Australia. He earned $40,000 for three week of playing there. That money helped him to get out of debts. When he arrived at the airport he said: "I'm fit as one can be at 37." "Skill improves with age", he added. Not many fans went to visit his debut match. In the last match his team was crushed 4-0 by Adelaide City Juventus. It was reported that George spent large parts of the game walking around the pitch showing limited interest and contributing little to the team. 

 
Tobermore United 1984: 1 match / 0 goals

Best played for Tobermore United in an Irish Cup match vs Balleymena. His team lost 7-0. Best didn't play well but about 4000 people came to watch him. He played one match but these kinds of matches will always stay in the hearts of thousands fans who had joy to watch him. His arrival in any city would always attract the interest of a large number of people. The game proved to be Best's last competitive match in football.

Don't know if these all clubs I mentioned before are all his official clubs but I will later add more pictures of him in clubs in which he played one or two matches. This I will finish with an anecdote from a match vs Tobermore United. "His appeal was summed up by one young supporter who had watched the game perched on his dad's shoulders behind the goals. As his father made for an early exit, the young boy said: "Just another minute, daddy, he's got the ball again." And obligingly, dad stopped to watch the maestro in action.

International career:

  

George Best played 37 matches for Northern Ireland in which he scored 9 goals. 4 of them were scored against Cyprus and others against Albania, England, Scotland, Switzerland and Turkey. He was part of the national team from 1964 to 1977. His debut match came in a British Championship. Northern Ireland faced Wales on 15 April 1964. He scored his first goal in September in the same year. They lost in an away match to Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers. Last match was against Netherlands in 12 October 1977, WC qualifiers. He didn't play on EUROs or WCs. 1982 WC, in which N. Ireland participated, but came too late as he was not fit enough to get a call from their manager. 

Now I will try to mention all other clubs in which George Best played a match or two. Of course it is impossible to find pictures in every club in which he played. Lot of these matches were testimonial or charity matches. In most of them he played just to earn some money. 

Rangers/Celtic select 1971 (January): It was a match between Scotland XI vs Rangers/Celtic select to raise funds following the Ibrox stadium disaster. Best scored the only goal for his team as Scotland won 2-1.  


World Team XI 1972 (May): It was a match vs HSV for Uwe Seeler farewell. Actually it was a Europe XI because Pele didn't come to the match. George Best's team won 6-3 while he scored one goal.

World mixed team 1973 (September): At the testimonial match for the legendary Eusebio, he played with many other, then, world greatest such as Banks, the Charlton brothers, Uwe Seeler. The match with Benfica ended 2-2. Best did not play much for United then, and a few months later he left the club from Old Trafford.

WBA 1974 (October): Best played in Jeff Astle testimonial match.

Manchester United European cup winners XI 1975 (September): A tribute match for Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee. George and Mike were great friends and George was best man at his wedding in 1968. The duo often went on holiday together and they also opened a boutique in Manchester. After his death, Mike recalled how they knew how to enjoy life, but also that he would be remembered most as a great footballer and a great person. Manchester City XI against Manchester United, the team that won the European cup in 1968. In an exciting match, Best scored the winning goal in the last minute. He beaten four opponents in the penalty area and scored for the final three to four. 

All-star XI 1975 (October): The match was played between Bury and the stars of the English league, which included George Best. The hosts won 3-2. The match was played in aid of former Bury footballer Paul Aimson. Paul retired in 1974 after a serious knee injury, and all the money raised went to his benefit. Best then played for Stockport County.

Chelsea 1975 (November): He played for Chelsea in Peter Osgood's testimonial match. 

Detroit Express 1978 (September): In September 1978, he went on a European tour, specifically to Austria, with the NASL club Detroit Express. They played the first game against LASK in which they won 3-2 with his decisive goal. In the second, they played to a draw, 2-2, against Austria Salzburg. However, Best did not play in that match. He went to the airport, bought a ticket and headed to Los Angeles.

Ipswich 1979 (November): He played just for Bobby Robson's testimonial match. 

Wrexham 1979 (November): George Best wore the Wrexham jersey for Gareth Davies testimonial.

Middlesbrough 1981 (September): He played for Boro club for his Northern Ireland teammate Jim Platt testimonial match. They played against Sunderland. Platt remembers: "We weren't quite sure whether he was going to show up or not, because he was in a period when he wasn't on his best behaviour, shall we say." "I think he played in more testimonial matches than anyone because everybody wanted him, he was a crowd puller."- Jim Platt

Portadown 1981 (October): George Best played for Portadown in an exhibition match against Glenavon. He led them, as captain, to a 1-0 victory. As usual, a lot of people came to see him. It was the largest crowd at the Portadown game in years, about 5000 people.

Dundee FC 1982: Charity match at Dens Park in 1982.

Ron Atkinson 1982 (?): He played for Ron Atkinson, the Manchester United coach. I don't know on what occasion. 

Annagh United 1982 (May): Annagh United played against Oxford United and lost 1-2. Here in this picture you can see Best with Annagh team players. He is in plain clothes but he played for the team after this picture was taken.

Scone Thistle 1982 (August): According to info he played for Scone Thistle in 1982. This is Best picture before the match. No much info on net but this match vs probably played for Scone centenary because they were founded in 1882. Match was played against Scone Amateurs. 20 minutes till end Best went in. Within minutes he made it 14-0. He went past about five players, drew the keeper and then nutmegged him. 
 

Valur and KA Akureyri 1982 (August): In 1982 Manchester United (and Best with them) came to Iceland on a preseason tour and played two matches, one against Valur (4th August) and second with KA (5th August). George Best played for both Iceland clubs. Back then this was a big event. In Akureyri about 4000 people saw the game. United won both matches: 5-1 against Valur and 7-1 against KA. Lot of great players played for Manchester such as Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, McGarth, Norman Whiteside... Best didn't score any of those two goals but he was in good shape but not in full form. After the second game there was dinner with all three teams.

Arbroath Vics 1982 (August): The Vics club celebrated their centenary. They faced Arbroath FC on 8 August. Vics won the match 4-3 with George Best scoring two goals. About 2000 came to the match. 

Glentoran 1982 (August): He played for Glens in a friendly match vs his previous club Manchester United. The game was to celebrate Glen's centenary. According to some info Glentoran refused him at his young age because he was too small to make the grade. 

Bangor 1982 (September): Best played in a match vs Motherwell. Don't know on which occasion. The Scottish club won 5 to 1.

Stable Bar All Stars 1982 (September): Charity match between Personalities XI vs Stable Bar All Stars. Best played for Stable Bar. The match was played to raise money for the kidney disease unit at the Sick Children's hospital, Yorkhill, which is located near Glasgow. Scottish sports journalists, commentators, among others, performed for Personalities. In addition to Best, for Stable Bar, there were legends of Scottish football on the field. A double hat-trick for Best in a high victory 11 to 4. The charity auction profited further as George was sponsored £1 for every nutmeg. This earned them an additional £11. He told the newspaper: "Of course it can be done just for effect. But if you can do it accurately it is the best possible way to beat a man. It leaves him flat-footed and gives you extra space. Mind you, I do admit doing it just to be noticed on more then a few occasions."

Bolton 1982 (October): Best in Bolton jersey during Peter Nicholson testimonial match in. The match is between "Peter Nicholson '78 XI" and "Bolton Wanderers 1982-83". Apart from two of them, George and Peter, there were also Tony Dunne, Peter Reid, Frank Worthington, Roger Hunt... Peter spent a little over ten years in the Bolton jersey. In 1978, Bolton returned to the First Division again, which is probably where the name of his team came from.

George Best All Stars 1982 (December): Best and his group of friends played against Barnstaple Town FC on 12th December. This was a charity match just to raise money for the club. 

Penryn Athletic 1983 (January): A friendly match between two rivals: Penryn Athletic and Falmouth Town. Falmouth won with a high score 6-1. It was eagerly awaited whether the match would be played, but not because of the rainy weather, but because of George himself, who was involved in a fight in a pub. The story goes that he went to make a phone call but, unprovoked, got hit in the head with a mug. This resulted in stitches that were removed after the game. The match itself was very tense, and the 36-year-old George could also earn an expulsion after he grabbed a rival player by the neck. After the match, a big celebration was held, and the legendary football player signed many autographs during the evening.

Lytham FC Chairman's XI 1983 (February): A rainy winter day and George Best in action for Lytham FC. The match was a fundraiser for the local club Lytham, specifically for the renovation of their Ballam Road stadium. On one side were the stars chosen by club chairman John Lavelle, the greatest of whom was George Best. On the other side were the players of the aforementioned club. Lytham FC Chairman's XI against Lytham FC. It ended in a 2-2 draw. One of the goals were scored by the Irish wizard. He scored from the penalty sport. A thousand people came to watch the match, and that is exactly how much money they raised. The children were delighted and were impatiently waiting for the football legend's autograph. 

Nuneaton Borough 1983 (March): In 1983 Nuneaton had 40 000 pounds of tax bill. They called Best to play in a friendly match vs First Division neighbours Coventry City. He was 37 at that time. George Best said: "I will definitely be there. I am looking forward to it. I am playing well at the moment, so Coventry City had better look out." Match was played in front of about 4000 people. All eyes were on Best. He scored the winner and missed a penalty. Nuneaton won 2-1. 

Ballyclare Comrades 1983 (May): Bestie played for Comrades in a match against Glentoran. It was a match for Ballyclare May Festival Week. It was a charity match. Match finished 1-1.

 

Osborne Park Galeb 1983 (July): A club from Australia which was founded by Croatian (Yugoslav) settlers from the region Dalmatia. Just to add that there were also some other clubs founded by Croatian settlers such as North Perth Croatia and Spearwood Dalmatinac. Both Galeb and Dalmatinac members classified themselves as Yugoslavs and North Perth as Croatians. George Best played for Galeb as a guest player vs Melville Alemannia. He scored a goal in a 2-1 win. About 2000 fans came to the match. 

Dee Why 1983 (July): Best played for Dee Why in an exhibition match vs Manly Warringha. Match was played on 27th July. George scored one goal in 2-3 lose.

West Adelaide 1983 (July): He also played for West Adelaide in Australia. Only one appearance in a game against Adelaide City.

Newry Town 1983 (August): Best played for Newry Town in a friendly match vs Shamrock Rovers. 

Ballymoney 1984 (July): He played in an exhibition match. Match was played against the North West Panel. That match was part of the proceeds going towards a new heart monitor at the former Route Hospital. Best scored an equalizer goal from the penalty spot. Next goal was also from George Best with which he gave them the lead. Match finished 5-2 for Best and his teammates.   


Workington 1986 (April): George Best played one match for Workington versus Lancashire Football League XI. Club was in a financial crisis (£30,000 debt). The game was played just a few weeks before his fortieth birthday. He was captain of the Workington team. A 3500 crowd turned out to see legendary George Best in action. Match finished 1-1. Throughout the evening he signed hundreds of autographs for young and old fans.


Reading 1984 (October): On 29th October Reading played against the New Zeland national team. He played as a special guest along with England World Cup winner Martin Peters. About 3900 fans were in the Elm Park. New Zeland won 2 to 1. 


Aston Villa 1985 (May): The match was played to collect money due to Bradford City stadium blaze which killed 56 people and injured 265. They played against the WBA. About 5600 people came to the match. Best was 39 at that time. His every touch was greeted with delight. Best was on the field for about 60 minutes. 
Due to same occasion he played for LBC Wembley Market in June 1985. That team was composed of active footballers, former players like Best and Jennings, coaches etc. Down picture:

George Best All Stars 1986 (?):  A charity all-star match by George Best where they played Lawbreakers XI. Some of his teammates were: Peter Bonetti, Alan Ball, Terry Mancini... That's all the available information about this match.

Veterans 1986 (?): Veterans match held at Wembley in 1986. No further information about this match.

Liam Tuohy XI 1986 (April): 40-year-old George Best comes to help an old friend. The match was played between the eleven selected by Liam Tuohy, former Irish international and Shamrock Rovers legend, and the star selection of Collins Barracks, a team named after the military barracks in Dublin, where money was raised for Best's former Manchester United teammate, Shay Brennan. Shay, a former Irish international and Red Devils legend, had suffered a heart attack the year before, which is the reason for this match. George, who played for Liam Tuohy, showed off the skills from his glory days in front of about 1,500 spectators, which was confirmed by the spectators who praised his performance, touches, dribbling... He himself, in a interview before the match, said that he has been in shape in recent months by playing such friendly matches. The team from the barracks won 2-1, and the most interesting thing about the match was a dog that walked onto the pitch, probably unaware that it was passing the former United and Northern Ireland star. He left the match in the 70th minute to return to Manchester.


Sheffield United 1986 (October): He played in Sheffield jersey for Tony Currie's testimonial match. 


Pat Jennings's Select 1986 (December): Best played in Pat Jenning's Select against an International XI. Match was played on 3rd December. It was testimonial match for his ex Northern Ireland teammate Jennings. 


Welling United (?): George Best in Welling United. Don't know much about this match. According to some infos match played in Welling United was to collect money for the Welling club. And it was played between Derek Hales XI and George Best XI. Also you can read that there were two matches and Best never turned up for one.  


Epsom & Ewell 1987 (March): George Best played for E&E in Tommy Tuite testimonial. Tuite is in this picture with George. About 1500 people came to the match. They played against Chelsea XI and lost 1-4. Best wasn't at his best. He didn't do too much and came off after an hour. 

Celtic 1988 (?): George Best during Celtic's tour of Australia in 1988.  Celtic created a special crest to celebrate the club's centenary. That crest was used in 1987/88 and 1988/89 seasons. In this picture you can see Best with that new Celtic crest. 

Pele All Stars 1988 (April): Matches organized on the occasion of collecting money in the fight against AIDS. The matches were played in several countries. Best played for Pele's team in Japan, Tokyo Dome Stadium. In the match against Japan Senior All-star, they won 2-0 with goals from Teofilo Cubillas and Johnny Rep. Many former legendary football players performed in that match. 

Newhaven Select XI 1988 (May): George Best played for Newhaven with his selection. It was a match against T.V. Entertainers XI. It was a match to celebrate FC Newhaven's centenary season. That match event was part of a fundraising scheme to benefit both the football club and their adopted charity, Newhaven Lifeboat Association. George Best's team won 3 to 1.  

George Best testimonial 1988 (August): On 8th August, a testimonial match was held for George Best. It was played between George Best XI vs International XI. Match was played at Windsor Park. About 25 000 fans came to visit this match. Best was wearing a jersey with no 11. In this picture you can see him with his son Calum. George Best scored twice and his team won 7-6. 

Celebriti XI 1989 (June): Charity match at Doncaster Rovers SC stadium. "Celebrity XI" v "Australian XI". The money was collected for the Biala School for children with disabilities. There were also Willie Wallace and Terry Hennessey who both worked as coaches in Australia. They collected $10.000. Best scored two goals for his team in 5-2 victory. Both in the second half. The first one after long run, and the second from a penalty spot at the end of the game. "It was good", he said after the referee's final whistle. The spectators greeted his goals with enthusiasm. Then he hung out with Ferenc Puskas, also a legendary footballer, who was then coaching South Melbourne Hellas. Best considered the generation of Real Madrid with Di Stefano and Puskas to be the best in the world, of course, after United. During one lunch, the story goes that: "I've never seen anyone eat so many meatballs in my life. I could have done it in about two weeks. He ate 40 meatballs."- talking about Ferenc Puskas. So it's no wonder he was a few kilos overwight.

George Best went to Australia in 1989 at the invitation of Billy Millen, also a former football player. They had known each other since their boyhood days in Belfast. The tour in Australia was sponsored by Nordmende TV company. In the land of kangaroos, he promoted football, coached children and played a few friendly matches, two to be exact. In addition to "Celebrity XI", he also played for Devonport (pictured below). 


Devonport 1989 (July): Over 1800 people came to see George Best. He was invited there by his ex United teammate from early days Ken Morton. George played for Devonport and Morton was their coach at that time. They played against Tasmanian XI. As soon as the referee blew the whistle for the start of the match, Best ended up on the ground. In the opening minutes of the match, a foul was made on him. Morton shouted: "If he goes, there's no game." Best got up, unharmed, and played on. He set both for his team. The match finished 2-2. When a journalist asked him after the match for his opinion on the greatest player of all time, he simply replied: "I am, Pele said so, and he should know." The players later continued to the local pub. They brought Moet-chandon just for Best. The next day it turned out that only one of the 24 bottles they had brought was left. That was George Best. He was enjoying his time in Tasmania.



Panini International All Stars 1989 (September): In 1989 Best played for Panini selection against Arsenal/Spurs selection. It was in some Dreamflight Charity Cup. Arsenal/Spurs were better 6-5. In the picture you can see all the other players who played for Panini. 


Crewe United 1989 (December): His first match with Crewe was in 1989 in aid of the Lisburn branch of Action Cancer to help raise funds. Match was played against Dundalk.

QPR 1990 (May): He played for QPR in an Alan McDonald testimonial match. 2-4 for Chelsea. 

Martin O'Neill International XI 1990 (May): It was a match played between Wycombe Wanderers versus Martin O'Neill select. Match was played for Wycombe final goodbye to their Loakes Park stadium since they were moving to a new Adams Park stadium. Martin O'Neill was recently appointed as Wycombe coach (recently before the match). About 4000 fans came to this match. Before the kick off O'Neill team was introduced to the crowd with the biggest cheer to the master George Best. In 25 minute stadium saw a memorable flash of magic from Best. In a dribble reminiscent of his Manchester United days, George, swearing in from the left wing, nutmegged the bewildered Matt Crossley, and took the ball across Granville and the six yard line. With Granville floundering on the ground, Best beat him again and chipped the ball into the corner of the empty net. It was a goal which gave two goals lead to O'Neill's team (2-4). Thorpe scored his second goal just on half time, easily heading home a cross from McDonald after brilliant wing play and a back heel from Best. George left the pitch in 57 min with a big applause from the crowd. Till the end there were 6 more goals with a final win of 4-8 to Martin O'Neill and his teammates.  Martin was pleased that his former Northern Ireland teammate came to the match: “We were delighted George turned up. He did very well for us. The day was really about the fans, and on the last day a game was played at Loakes Park, they had a world class player to watch.”

George Best added: ”I’ve known Martin for quite a while, from playing in the Irish squad together. I never even thought about it. As soon as he asked me, I agreed to play. If I’m free to play, it’s no problem. I only play around a hundred of these games a year! The only problem is whenever I miss the one (game), they never stop talking about it. They never talk about the other 99. It’s terrific, when you think that a little club like this can pull in a crowd of 4,000 for a fun game. I don’t know much about Wycombe Wanderers. I didn’t even know where Loakes Park was!”

As well as being the Loakes Park finale, this match was also held to raise money for Wycombe General Hospital’s Scannappeal, and O’Neill said he was very happy that he and his friends could help with playing this match.

Sir Matt Busby testimonial 1991 (August): Match played at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Republic of Ireland XI. The result was a 1-1 draw. 
 
 
Crewe United 1995 (September): His second match with Crewe. They played against Showbiz Select to raise funds for Down's Syndrome.

George Best played in many friendlis, either testimonial or humanitarian. It is difficult to find data for all of them, even pictures. Any additional help is welcomed.

                             

Few words for the end. Of course I never had a chance to watch him play. Now we can only enjoy his videos, movies, books, and stories that we can find on the net. I started to like George several years ago. I even have a facebook profile named under him. This summer I came up with an idea and I started to collect pictures of George in all clubs in which he played at least one match. And I wanted to make this for him or in his legacy. I am very happy about it and proud. What to say about Best career. He will always be remembered for his football and great talent but at one point we all can be sad. Why? Because he achieved everything till he was 22. He won all that he could at such a young age. England league title, European Cup and Ballon d'Or. We can say that he was professional for about 6 years. After he won everything he started to drink and his later career was „marked“ with alcohol. Have you ever asked yourself how much he could achieve if he didn't start to drink? Much much more. He is and will be considered as one of the best players in the history of football but what could happen if he didn't drink so much? He would probably become the greatest footballer in history, with no doubt. Maradona good, Pele better, George BEST. We all know what his surname means. Best simple as that, BEST. Thank you Bestie. Lucky are those who had a chance to watch him play.