Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Pop Culture»People
    People 6 Mins Read

    George Best

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    There is a famous story about George Best after he had won one night at a casino and a bellboy found him in his hotel room drinking champagne with Miss World with £25,000 scattered across his bed. The bellboy said, “Tell me, George, where did it all go wrong?”

    There are a few variations to that story but it really does sum up what life was like for George Best for a while.

    There was a period when the papers started writing a lot of bad stuff but he was having a fantastic time and the public was mainly sympathetic towards him.

    He’d be stood there, surrounded by mini-skirted girls drinking free champagne and he was paid to play football.

    It did turn eventually turn sour for George, but he had a hell of a lot of fun, especially in Manchester.

    Rise To Fame

    George Best was born in Belfast, the son of a shipyard worker. He was spotted by a Manchester United scout while still at school.

    At 15, he was taken to Manchester by Matt Busby, with a job as an office boy near United’s ground, and signed as a professional at 17.

    He burst on to the international scene with a stunning display against Benfica in 1966 in which he scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of a 5-1 demolition in Portugal.

    At 18, he won the first of 37 international caps for Northern Ireland and was being hailed as the new Stanley Matthews.

    A slight figure, 5ft 8in tall and weighing 10 stone, he dazzled the crowds with his skill. But soon the shy, unworldly boy from Belfast was caught up in the trappings of fame. He acquired an agent and a secretary and went into business, opening two boutiques.

    Although he rarely missed a game in his early career, he started causing problems at Old Trafford, and in 1971 was suspended for a fortnight for failing to catch a train for a game at Chelsea.

    A year later, he was dropped from the team again for failing to attend training and was ordered to leave the house he had built in Cheshire and move into lodgings near Old Trafford.

    By now his lifestyle was a constant source of newspaper gossip, with countless stories of girls and heavy drinking. Tommy Docherty’s arrival at the club inevitably led to a showdown and Best finally parted company with Manchester United in January 1974.

    ‘Where’s me shirt?’ asks George Best

    “I’ve said it a few times, but I blame the Seventies for the demise of the football strip into the artless mess it is today. The problems began in the Seventies and I suppose we played our part.”

    “When the Seventies began, I had my hair over my shoulder, my flares were ludicrous and the knots in my ties were simply massive. That was the style, and I cut a dash in the bars of Manchester with Mike Summerbee and our friends, but I think, because of the position I was in I dressed a little more outrageously than the norm. Fashion was big and had no subtlety at all. ”

    “Call it Glam if you will, it was just loud, everything loud. Big collars and bright colours, When the 70s started, fashion and football were on different planets. Yeah, we had our boutique and some of the flasher players had picked up a bit of money from modelling. We all did those home delivery magazines, that kind of thing.”

    “But it hadn’t affected football, not on the pitch. Football was very naive at the start of the Seventies. It was only waking up to things like sponsorship and the kits we wore were still pretty plain. We didn’t need colourful strips with flashes and designs all over them. The characters on the pitch were colourful enough. ”

    “At first I thought the strip changes were a really good thing. There was Don Revie’s England in ’74, who started looking flash. And Derby County, I think, were the first team to press for shirt sponsorship. That was the thin end of the wedge. I look at football strips today with a certain amount of sadness . . . and maybe we were a little bit to blame. Just think back, though, to the time when a kid in the street could wear a white t-shirt and pair of blue shorts and think he was wearing an England kit. That’s not too long ago.”

    “We had extreme times. But it was always totally one thing or another. The great thing about those days was that although we tasted this huge glamour thing, we were still living in the real world. So we’d live a life of absolute extremes. No in-betweens. I would go drinking with the lads down the pub one night and be a guest of the Prime Minister the next day.”

    George Best on Leeds United

    “That Leeds team are now remembered as the most cynical football team of all time. Although they did deserve that reputation, I hated playing against them, I really did. It must be remembered that they also had a hell of a lot of skill, too, but they were still a bloody nightmare. ”

    “But my little anecdote tends to sum them up. It concerns Matt Busby who, in a team talk before meeting Leeds, went through each member of their side”.

    “It must be remembered that Busby loved Man United but he was also a fiercely patriotic Scot.”

    “Anyway, Matt went like this: “Gary Sprake, the goalkeeper . . . on his day, a nasty piece of work. Right back, Paul Reaney . . . dirty bastard. Left back, Terry Cooper. . . . even dirtier bastard. Johnny Giles. . . dirty little bastard. Centre-half, Jack Charlton . . . dirty big bastard. Left half, wee Billy Bremner. . . . good Scottish boy . . .”

    Death

    Best died in Cromwell Hospital in London on Friday 25 November 2005 at 12:55 GMT, at the age of 59 after suffering multiple organ failure. Best was admitted eight weeks previously with flu-like symptoms, and hospital officials said it ended “a long and very valiant fight”.

    British Prime Minister Tony Blair led tributes to the man he called “one of the greatest footballers the UK has ever produced”. “Anyone who has seen him as a football fan will never forget it,” Mr Blair said.

    Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said: “George should be remembered as the very best at what he did. He was quite simply a football genius.”

    Sir Bobby Charlton said his former Manchester United team-mate “made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person.”

    A minute silence was observed at every Premiership football match that weekend in Best’s memory.

    Related Posts

    • Rudi Gernreich
      Rudi Gernreich
      Like his art world contemporary Andy Warhol, Rudi Gernreich was a modern visionary and shrewd press manipulator. He guaranteed himself…
    • Anita Cobby
      Anita Cobby
      It was the crime that shocked Australia - pretty 26-year-old nursing sister Anita Lorraine Cobby was found brutally murdered in…
    • George Martin
      George Martin
      George Martin was born on 3 January 1926 in Highbury, London. When he was six, his family acquired a piano…
    • Joe Meek
      Joe Meek
      Acclaimed by many as the UK's Phil Spector, Joe Meek was born on 5 April 1929. His first love from childhood…
    • Granny Killer
      Granny Killer
      Infamous 'Granny Killer' John Wayne Glover began his reign of terror at Mosman in Sydney's north, murdering six elderly women…
    • Farrah
      Farrah
      Ferrah Leni Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1947.   While studying at the University of Texas at Austin…
    • Walter Cronkite
      Walter Cronkite
      The commentary of former CBS Evening News anchorman Walter Cronkite defined issues and events in America for almost two decades.…
    • Jackie O
      Jackie O
      Jackie Onassis was best known as the wife of US President John F Kennedy. Her youth and style brought an aura…

    Sport
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleFergie
    Next Article George Bush

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • So It Goes
      1 9 7 3 (UK) 3 x 60 minute episodes This trilogy from Yorkshire […]
    • Queen
      Since their 1973 debut album, Queen’s ambitious template […]
    • Sky
      After punk rock hit in the mid-70’s, most veteran rockers […]
    • Joe Palooka Story, The
      1 9 5 4 – 1 9 5 5 (USA) 26 x 30 minute episodes Based upon […]
    • Advance To The Rear (1964)
      This sweet-tempered send-up of Civil War heroics from Destry […]
    • Menotti
      1 9 8 0 (Australia) 13 x 60 minute episodes This drama series […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    5 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    5 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends. 

If they only knew what lay ahead . . .

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends.

    If they only knew what lay ahead . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 18
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I always hated the Beatles, and as it happens I still do.

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.