Johnny_Big
Starting XI
R.i.p
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R.I.P George Best
- Thread starter Mutt
- Start date
R.I.P George Best
You gave the beautiful game it's beautiful moments for us .
You gave the fans of Manchester United it's first ever taste of the European Cup.
Your dazzling skills and plays made it just inevitable.
You are still one of the greatest ever players to have cherished the game.
Thanks for all the memories .
R.I.P Besty .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is common that people after their death are remembered for the positives they possessed .
Same with this guy.
You gave the beautiful game it's beautiful moments for us .
You gave the fans of Manchester United it's first ever taste of the European Cup.
Your dazzling skills and plays made it just inevitable.
You are still one of the greatest ever players to have cherished the game.
Thanks for all the memories .
R.I.P Besty .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is common that people after their death are remembered for the positives they possessed .
Same with this guy.
TheBlueBalla
Starting XI
fixed. It shows the degree to which an addiction takes control that he couldnt turn things around even after being granted a second chance. Its a damn shameJoe Star said:RIPshouldve been a whole different ending to this story
R.I.P. to the man Pele called 'the best player ever'. At least this miserable saga is at an end
toseeunited, a forumista from Red Issue, has made a wonderful George Best compilation.
http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=George_Best_Video_www.unitedgoals.tk.wmv
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4KY1O70E
http://64.34.164.206/ri_forum/showthread.php?t=81482
http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=George_Best_Video_www.unitedgoals.tk.wmv
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4KY1O70E
http://64.34.164.206/ri_forum/showthread.php?t=81482
spacemunky
Youth Team
RIP George
itsbeenpickedup
Youth Team
RIP Legend.
A good article....
------------
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid his own tribute to George Best as he said: "He has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."
Ferguson put into words the feeling of all football fans at the death of the legendary United and Northern Ireland winger.
He said: "At this moment I just think of him as a player. It's those moments we will relish.
"My own particular memory of him is playing against Scotland at Windsor Park. Tommy Gemmill was one of the best full-backs in the world at the time George gave him the mother and father of all chasings. I will always remember that particular day.
"He was such a special player, a phenomenal player and I think I speak for everyone associated with Manchester United when I say he has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."
The United chief added: "Some people are just born with a craft and leave an indelible mark on people's lives. The thing I remember, apart from his talent, was his courage.
"I can see him flying down the wing riding tackles from people like Ron Harris, Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter.
"They were serious guys - you didn't mess with them - and it was a time when you needed to be struck down by a tomahawk just to get booked, yet he rode all that.
"Every time he went down he got up again and just said 'Give me the ball'. That will stick in my mind forever."
A statement from United read: "George Best was one of the greatest footballers of all time.
"Naturally athletic, tough, confident and blessed with genius, his career was one of the brightest stars of its generation. His gifts were legendary.
"For the goals, the audacious dribbles and all the wonderful memories, Manchester United and its legions of fans worldwide will always be grateful.
"We feel a deep sense of loss but his spirit and his talent will live on forever."
Sir Bobby Charlton, a director at Old Trafford and a team-mate of Best's during his time at the club, said: "Manchester United's glorious history has been created by people like George Best.
"Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same. He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. It is a very sad day.
"Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person and my thoughts are now with his family."
The club will open a book of condolence on Saturday morning at Old Trafford.
Birmingham manager and former United captain Steve Bruce was among the first to pay tribute to Best.
And he described the Ulsterman as one of the greats of the game.
He said: "It is very sad. When you speak to people in Manchester, when they talk of the great players - and in my era it was Beckenbauer, Pele, Cruyff - then George Best always seems to come into the equation.
"In a lot of people's eyes he was the greatest British player ever. I remember Brian Kidd telling me repeatedly that he was on a different level to everyone else.
"If you look at his record at Manchester United, it is incredible. I think he scored 200 odd goals in 400 odd games. He was quite an unbelievable talent. It's an absolute shame, a tragedy."
Prime Minister Tony Blair added to the tributes, saying: "We all know that George Best was probably the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation, one of the greatest footballers the UK has ever produced."
Irish Premier Bertie Ahern described the player as "quite simply a football genius", sentiments echoed by Irish President Mary McAleese, who said: "George Best was a wonderfully gifted sportsman whose skills on the football field dazzled a generation of soccer fans.
"He will be remembered as one of the world's finest football talents."
Best's second wife, Alex, said she would always miss the "love of my life", adding in a statement: "George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy.
"I will always miss him."
Best made 37 appearances and scored nine goals for his native Northern Ireland, and the Irish Football Association's chief executive Howard Wells said: "This is a sad day for football. George was a complete one-off with a natural talent rarely seen since."
He added: "He was the best I had ever seen."
Belfast's Lord Mayor, Wallace Browne, expressed his deepest sympathies to Best's family on behalf of the people of Belfast, saying of the inspirational star: "I doubt we will ever see the likes of his talent again."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the world did not see the best of Best.
He said: "I have not great [memories] of Best at that time, as I did not have access to TV. But I saw flashes and read a lot about him when I was a kid.
"What is amazing when you look back is that he stopped at 28. The best years of his career should have come from 28 to 32.
"You can't believe a player in the world stopping now - it would be like Thierry [Henry] stopping now."
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley was glad he had seen Best play.
He said: "There are a lot of people out there who know George Best in name only and would never have seen him.
"I know there is a lot of publicity surrounding him over the reason why he was ill, but football people know what he was about and those of us who were lucky enough to see him would know a little bit more.
"People like George Best, with ability like that, come along once upon a time - and we were lucky enough to see him and not a lot of people can say that.
"George Best was one of the greatest players ever seen."
Former England captain and Motherwell manager Terry Butcher described Best as a "footballing genius".
He said: "He is a true legend. He was a genius and all the great words you can think of apply to George.
"He was a footballing genius, a real world-class superstar.
"When you see those words mentioned these days they are somewhat diluted and take something from the greats like George.
"He was adored by other fans and people and will always be remembered."
Former team-mate Paddy Crerand, who was in the same team to win the European Cup in 1968, believes Best had the ability to inspire supporters of all clubs.
"He was the most natural footballer I'd ever seen," Crerand said. "He had two good feet, was great in the air and had such magnificent balance. He was also exceptionally brave.
"You look at the clips being played on TV and most players these days will be writhing around in agony at some of the challenges he just rode.
"We all knew about him when he was a kid. We all knew how good he was going to be. It is a very rare commodity to be able to lift people off their seats just by touching the ball.
"I guess Wayne Rooney is the only player who comes close to doing that now but George had this wondrous ability which set him apart from virtually everyone else who has ever played the game.
"We all know Manchester United is not a universally liked club but I think you will find every supporter of every club recognises the ability George Best had.
"People all over the world know about Pele but all over the world know about George Best and that is without ever playing in a World Cup."
Harry Gregg, Best's former team-mate at Old Trafford and for Northern Ireland, added: "I'm proud to say I knew him not just as a footballer and a team-mate but as a person and a friend.
"He wrote the foreword in my autobiography and I will never ever forget that. It was an incredible gesture.
"We know all the stories. We know about the night in Lisbon when he was told to take it easy and scored twice in the first 10 minutes. We know about him leaving Manchester United at 26 and we know about the stories that have come since - but I would defy anyone who really knew George to say a bad word about him.
"The only person he hurt was himself. It is a sad, sad day but at least he is at rest now and that is a blessing in itself."
Former Manchester United star David Beckham said: "As a Manchester United fan I always saw George Best as a football legend and it was a proud moment for me when I wore the same number seven shirt as him.
"He is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game and a great person as well.
"My thoughts are with his family at this time."
Scotland manager Walter Smith believes, despite his controversial lifestyle, Best should be remembered for his footballing ability.
He said: "For me, he was one of the top players of his generation.
"I remember watching him play at Hampden Park against Scotland and he was fantastic.
"You saw the range of ability he had and there are very few blessed with that kind of ability.
"It's sad to see what has happened and anybody involved in football would want to remember him for his football.
"He had an ability to play alongside the greatest players ever to play football. Everybody should remember him for that."
Old Firm bosses Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish also paid tribute to Best.
Celtic manager Strachan said: "I have been watching it on the news and it takes something away from your life.
"Along with Jimmy Johnstone, Pat Stanton and Peter Cormack, they were my heroes.
"Just to watch it on TV every day is draining and emotional for people that know George Best. It is emotional for us all at this moment in time.
"Anybody that loves football loves George Best.
"It has taken a bit from everyone's life for those who have met him or watched him. It makes life a grey place.
"We used to watch Match of the Day on a Saturday and the commentators would say 'We haven't seen much of Best today' and suddenly he picks the ball up in midfield against Sheffield United and runs past four players and hits a diagonal shot into the back of the net.
"You knew he was going from that game to having a great night after it so he made people smile all the time.
"For those who loved him, he worried us at times as well - worried about what he was doing to himself.
"It has not been a great week for people like myself who have met him."
Rangers manager McLeish played against Best during the Irishman's time with Hibernian.
The Ibrox boss said: "I played against him when I was at Aberdeen.
"Bestie came to play at Hibs near the end of his career and it was just an amazing feeling to be on the same pitch as George Best.
"My sympathies go to his family."
Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie described Best as a "truly, great player".
The Old Trafford legend played 25 times for the Easter Road club after joining in November 1979.
Petrie said: "A truly great player at the peak of his powers with Manchester United, he was still a bright enough star to put thousands on the gates wherever he played for Hibernian in Scotland and his quality still shone.
"At this time our thoughts, and the thoughts of all the Hibernian family, are with his family and friends."
Scottish Professional Footballers' Association secretary Tony Higgins played alongside Best at Hibernian.
And he remembers the player for his down-to-earth style despite leading a "superstar" lifestyle.
Higgins told Scotland Today: "George would drift off to parties with Rod Stewart and Britt Ekland and Roger Moore, but he'd come back and talk about it in very plain language.
"He never assumed any stardom in the dressing room. He was one of 11 players.
"Everyone knew he was a superstar - a film star who played football - but he never took on that mantle in the dressing room.
"When he went over the white line to the football park itself, he became the confident ball-juggling player that he was, that everybody knows about."
-------
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/051125/4/f5a7.html
------------
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid his own tribute to George Best as he said: "He has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."
Ferguson put into words the feeling of all football fans at the death of the legendary United and Northern Ireland winger.
He said: "At this moment I just think of him as a player. It's those moments we will relish.
"My own particular memory of him is playing against Scotland at Windsor Park. Tommy Gemmill was one of the best full-backs in the world at the time George gave him the mother and father of all chasings. I will always remember that particular day.
"He was such a special player, a phenomenal player and I think I speak for everyone associated with Manchester United when I say he has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."
The United chief added: "Some people are just born with a craft and leave an indelible mark on people's lives. The thing I remember, apart from his talent, was his courage.
"I can see him flying down the wing riding tackles from people like Ron Harris, Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter.
"They were serious guys - you didn't mess with them - and it was a time when you needed to be struck down by a tomahawk just to get booked, yet he rode all that.
"Every time he went down he got up again and just said 'Give me the ball'. That will stick in my mind forever."
A statement from United read: "George Best was one of the greatest footballers of all time.
"Naturally athletic, tough, confident and blessed with genius, his career was one of the brightest stars of its generation. His gifts were legendary.
"For the goals, the audacious dribbles and all the wonderful memories, Manchester United and its legions of fans worldwide will always be grateful.
"We feel a deep sense of loss but his spirit and his talent will live on forever."
Sir Bobby Charlton, a director at Old Trafford and a team-mate of Best's during his time at the club, said: "Manchester United's glorious history has been created by people like George Best.
"Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same. He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. It is a very sad day.
"Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person and my thoughts are now with his family."
The club will open a book of condolence on Saturday morning at Old Trafford.
Birmingham manager and former United captain Steve Bruce was among the first to pay tribute to Best.
And he described the Ulsterman as one of the greats of the game.
He said: "It is very sad. When you speak to people in Manchester, when they talk of the great players - and in my era it was Beckenbauer, Pele, Cruyff - then George Best always seems to come into the equation.
"In a lot of people's eyes he was the greatest British player ever. I remember Brian Kidd telling me repeatedly that he was on a different level to everyone else.
"If you look at his record at Manchester United, it is incredible. I think he scored 200 odd goals in 400 odd games. He was quite an unbelievable talent. It's an absolute shame, a tragedy."
Prime Minister Tony Blair added to the tributes, saying: "We all know that George Best was probably the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation, one of the greatest footballers the UK has ever produced."
Irish Premier Bertie Ahern described the player as "quite simply a football genius", sentiments echoed by Irish President Mary McAleese, who said: "George Best was a wonderfully gifted sportsman whose skills on the football field dazzled a generation of soccer fans.
"He will be remembered as one of the world's finest football talents."
Best's second wife, Alex, said she would always miss the "love of my life", adding in a statement: "George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy.
"I will always miss him."
Best made 37 appearances and scored nine goals for his native Northern Ireland, and the Irish Football Association's chief executive Howard Wells said: "This is a sad day for football. George was a complete one-off with a natural talent rarely seen since."
He added: "He was the best I had ever seen."
Belfast's Lord Mayor, Wallace Browne, expressed his deepest sympathies to Best's family on behalf of the people of Belfast, saying of the inspirational star: "I doubt we will ever see the likes of his talent again."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the world did not see the best of Best.
He said: "I have not great [memories] of Best at that time, as I did not have access to TV. But I saw flashes and read a lot about him when I was a kid.
"What is amazing when you look back is that he stopped at 28. The best years of his career should have come from 28 to 32.
"You can't believe a player in the world stopping now - it would be like Thierry [Henry] stopping now."
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley was glad he had seen Best play.
He said: "There are a lot of people out there who know George Best in name only and would never have seen him.
"I know there is a lot of publicity surrounding him over the reason why he was ill, but football people know what he was about and those of us who were lucky enough to see him would know a little bit more.
"People like George Best, with ability like that, come along once upon a time - and we were lucky enough to see him and not a lot of people can say that.
"George Best was one of the greatest players ever seen."
Former England captain and Motherwell manager Terry Butcher described Best as a "footballing genius".
He said: "He is a true legend. He was a genius and all the great words you can think of apply to George.
"He was a footballing genius, a real world-class superstar.
"When you see those words mentioned these days they are somewhat diluted and take something from the greats like George.
"He was adored by other fans and people and will always be remembered."
Former team-mate Paddy Crerand, who was in the same team to win the European Cup in 1968, believes Best had the ability to inspire supporters of all clubs.
"He was the most natural footballer I'd ever seen," Crerand said. "He had two good feet, was great in the air and had such magnificent balance. He was also exceptionally brave.
"You look at the clips being played on TV and most players these days will be writhing around in agony at some of the challenges he just rode.
"We all knew about him when he was a kid. We all knew how good he was going to be. It is a very rare commodity to be able to lift people off their seats just by touching the ball.
"I guess Wayne Rooney is the only player who comes close to doing that now but George had this wondrous ability which set him apart from virtually everyone else who has ever played the game.
"We all know Manchester United is not a universally liked club but I think you will find every supporter of every club recognises the ability George Best had.
"People all over the world know about Pele but all over the world know about George Best and that is without ever playing in a World Cup."
Harry Gregg, Best's former team-mate at Old Trafford and for Northern Ireland, added: "I'm proud to say I knew him not just as a footballer and a team-mate but as a person and a friend.
"He wrote the foreword in my autobiography and I will never ever forget that. It was an incredible gesture.
"We know all the stories. We know about the night in Lisbon when he was told to take it easy and scored twice in the first 10 minutes. We know about him leaving Manchester United at 26 and we know about the stories that have come since - but I would defy anyone who really knew George to say a bad word about him.
"The only person he hurt was himself. It is a sad, sad day but at least he is at rest now and that is a blessing in itself."
Former Manchester United star David Beckham said: "As a Manchester United fan I always saw George Best as a football legend and it was a proud moment for me when I wore the same number seven shirt as him.
"He is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game and a great person as well.
"My thoughts are with his family at this time."
Scotland manager Walter Smith believes, despite his controversial lifestyle, Best should be remembered for his footballing ability.
He said: "For me, he was one of the top players of his generation.
"I remember watching him play at Hampden Park against Scotland and he was fantastic.
"You saw the range of ability he had and there are very few blessed with that kind of ability.
"It's sad to see what has happened and anybody involved in football would want to remember him for his football.
"He had an ability to play alongside the greatest players ever to play football. Everybody should remember him for that."
Old Firm bosses Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish also paid tribute to Best.
Celtic manager Strachan said: "I have been watching it on the news and it takes something away from your life.
"Along with Jimmy Johnstone, Pat Stanton and Peter Cormack, they were my heroes.
"Just to watch it on TV every day is draining and emotional for people that know George Best. It is emotional for us all at this moment in time.
"Anybody that loves football loves George Best.
"It has taken a bit from everyone's life for those who have met him or watched him. It makes life a grey place.
"We used to watch Match of the Day on a Saturday and the commentators would say 'We haven't seen much of Best today' and suddenly he picks the ball up in midfield against Sheffield United and runs past four players and hits a diagonal shot into the back of the net.
"You knew he was going from that game to having a great night after it so he made people smile all the time.
"For those who loved him, he worried us at times as well - worried about what he was doing to himself.
"It has not been a great week for people like myself who have met him."
Rangers manager McLeish played against Best during the Irishman's time with Hibernian.
The Ibrox boss said: "I played against him when I was at Aberdeen.
"Bestie came to play at Hibs near the end of his career and it was just an amazing feeling to be on the same pitch as George Best.
"My sympathies go to his family."
Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie described Best as a "truly, great player".
The Old Trafford legend played 25 times for the Easter Road club after joining in November 1979.
Petrie said: "A truly great player at the peak of his powers with Manchester United, he was still a bright enough star to put thousands on the gates wherever he played for Hibernian in Scotland and his quality still shone.
"At this time our thoughts, and the thoughts of all the Hibernian family, are with his family and friends."
Scottish Professional Footballers' Association secretary Tony Higgins played alongside Best at Hibernian.
And he remembers the player for his down-to-earth style despite leading a "superstar" lifestyle.
Higgins told Scotland Today: "George would drift off to parties with Rod Stewart and Britt Ekland and Roger Moore, but he'd come back and talk about it in very plain language.
"He never assumed any stardom in the dressing room. He was one of 11 players.
"Everyone knew he was a superstar - a film star who played football - but he never took on that mantle in the dressing room.
"When he went over the white line to the football park itself, he became the confident ball-juggling player that he was, that everybody knows about."
-------
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/051125/4/f5a7.html
George scored what many consider among the greatest goals in NASL history in 1981 with the San Jose Earthquakes.
R.I.P. George!
R.I.P. George!