George Best

[Martin^^]

It seems ironic that we have two major news stories this week involving alcohol: the liberalisation of pub opening hours, and the grave illness of George Best.

It reminds me of a statement I read some years ago in an article about alcoholism, unfortunately I can't recall its author.
Basically it said:
We are an alcoholic society, alcoholics are merely the unfortunate individuals who bear our symptoms.

George Best's turbulent private life has been covered in lurid detail by the press, but the abiding image in my mind is of that long-haired rebel weaving magically about the field, seeming to control the ball by telekinesis and demonstrating why football is 'the beautiful game'.

God bless, George...


image © Lancashire Evening Post

 

[Tangnefedd]

It is very sad, I can remember him playing football when he was young and he certainly was a brilliant player. Too much money, too much fame and adulation, far too young. Unfortunately football clubs haven't learnt anything at all, look at Rooney!

 

[steverock]

i was just gonna post the exact same thread.
its gutting to see that he's losing his battle with illness and it is very ironic that its happening when the 24 hour drinking is starting.

i never had the pleasure of seeing him play in a live match because he played WELL before i was born but he is one of the true footballing greats of all time. he is right up there with Pele and Maradona.

click here to see one of his greatest goals
legend! that is what he will be remebered for not for drinking.

i just pray he can die peacefully without much pain

 

[Kehaar]

i was just gonna post the exact same thread.
its gutting to see that he's losing his battle with illness and it is very ironic that its happening when the 24 hour drinking is starting.

Perhaps not ironic at all, perhaps perfect timing. I noticed Bests picture on the front page of one newspaper last week (forget which one), sitting in a hospital bed, looking pretty grim with the tag 'These are the pictures George Best wants you to see' or words to that effect.

I only saw the paper in passing, so I didn't read the details, but it did cross my mind as to why would you want people to see you like that if not to make them understand how dire things were? Then again, I may well be overanalysing.

 

[Abiel]

I am tired of hearing about him at the moment. Cos of my dad just dying. But I agree that it is ironic

 

[Tangnefedd]

Sorry about your Dad, mine has just died too, but life goes on.

 

[Tangnefedd]

George Best RIP

 

[steverock]

 

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

Sorry to hear about your dad, how old was he? I hope that unlike George he had a good innings, as they say.

 

[Tangnefedd]

Thanks Steve, my Dad had a very good innings indeed. He was 83, a senior politician in his day, and had the nearest I wil get to a state funeral with all the top dignitaries and the Queen's representative at his funeral. He would have loved it!

 

[LiberatedChick]

 

[Abiel]

Mine was 68, and in good health. Very sudden and shocking. Ordinary bloke who lived life to the full. and left his 58 year old wife, my mum, well provided for after a life on a salary that never got higher than £18,000- in other words, he was MEAN!!! but boy are we now glad!

 

[Kehaar]

Mine was 68, and in good health. Very sudden and shocking. Ordinary bloke who lived life to the full. and left his 58 year old wife, my mum, well provided for after a life on a salary that never got higher than £18,000- in other words, he was MEAN!!! but boy are we now glad!

I'm sorry. 68 does seem early and I'm sure the suddeness of it makes it harder to adjust to his absense.

 

[Paul_Norn_Iron]

He was a gentleman. An absolute legend. The Greatest the footballer the world has and ever will see.

R.I.P. Geordie.

 

[puppy]

unfortunately im too young to remember hes glory days on the football field but i have seen plenty of them on old news reports and realise how impressive he really was

he wanted us to remember the football and i shall as best i can but what i will remember most is his remarkable courage humour and intelligence that he showed on question of sport a couple of years ago, he was obviously very ill then but hes personality shone through and its a shame he let his many talents go to waste in such a sad way

rip bestie !

 

[StarryEyedPea]

rip george best

 

[flaglady]

I always felt that most of George Best's rebellious behaviour was caused by him being Irish and therefore not able to take part in big international games. If he'd been able to play in international games like Beckham does, he might not have been so frustrated.

It's also a shame that he couldn't stop abusing his transplanted liver. Life just ain't good to some people.

 

[steverock]

some absolute hateful fools have not respected the minutes silence at some grounds around the country!

this makes me really angry because he is one of the greatest ever players to ever play the greatest game. he's not only a legend for United but for the game! he deserves respect from any football fan despite whatever mistakes he made in his life or whatever team he played for!!

sorry about this - just had to get it of my chest!

i liked the idea of some clubs having a minute of applause to celebrate what he did when he played. superb

RIP Bestie

 

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

Let me guess - Man City and Leeds?

 

[Tangnefedd]

Best was a good football player, but as with everything I think the adulation is slightly OTT. I believe they are predicting his funeral will be as big as that of Diana!! Why is it that people go so mad over someone they have never met, even if they were a soccer legend or a Royal. I just don't understand it at all?