There was a tiny, insignificant incident in one of the first matches I saw George Best play for Manchester United that has always haunted me, in some ways more than than the many moments of genius I witnessed in his brilliant subsequent career.It occured in March 1964 against Fulham as United were desperately trying to keep alive a faltering campaign to win the league title, having recently unexpectedly lost both a Cup Winners Cup quarter final against Sporting Lisbon and an FA Cup semi-final against West Ham in successive matches. There was a packed Good Friday crowd in Craven Cottage hoping to see further humiliation heaped on the mighty Reds and the Londoners had a strong team with top-quality players such as Bobby Robson and the great Johnny Haynes. It was the latter who gave Fulham the lead with a perfectly struck volley past Dave Gaskell after ten minutes at which point United stirred themselves into action with surging passing movements.David Herd cracked in an equalizer from a Bobby Charlton corner and then Denis Law was suddenly put through, one-on-one against Tony Macedo in the Fulham goal, and with a shimmy of the hips slotted the ball home and wheeled away, arm raised in imperious salute. At 2-1 up after half an hour United looked in complete control and surely one more goal would settle it and secure the vital points. But then came the moment I’ll never forget…
To read this story in full, purchase Red Matters from Amazon.
Man Utd News 24/7
Always enjoy these reads.. Let me grab some snacks and a drink!
Pele good. Maradonna better. George Best!
Happy Match Day Reds!
Happy Birthday good friend and true Red Costas! Many happy returns!
Come on United!
He was a one off indeed, and tough as old boots too! My first memory was of seeing him in ’68 at OT. He was now transformed into el beatle but his grace and football skills to a wide eyed youngster at his first ever football match are still etched in my mind! George you were an inspiration., and a joy to watch..
Great piece Giles. Enjoyed reading that. He was the best of his generation. RIP George Best.
Nice piece, took a while to get through it…no mention of the commemorative fivers though.
It’s a shame there isn’t more footage, its a shame some of the mediocre players of today will have hours of shit footage to show their bored shitless grandchildren.
Arise Sir Giles, what a fucking brilliant write up about arguably the greatest player we have ever had… Fucking gave me goose bumps reading that and also made my fucking eyes water…..
I salute you
Happy birthday!
A true legend.You were truly the best!
And read this The glazers will not invite the team which won our first final in 68.A bigger insult possible?
FUCKING HELL!
http://www.football.co.uk/manchester_united/forgotten__manchester_united_s_wembley_snub_to_their_european_cup_heroes_of_1968_rss1665890.shtml
One and only George Best!!
Off topic. Gutted about Hargreaves. He must be the unluckiest United player ever.
He fully played a single season for us, but what a season.
Thanks and good luck to him!!!!
Got tears in my eyes.. Top article , Sir Giles..
I never really know much about the club history and the peoples.
Now i getting to know more but im too late as i miss out a lot.
Now we just cherish what we got with SIr Alex and cheer this club to another level.
Wtf. Hargreaves leaving! I like him as a player and person.
His freekick is the best and i mean its really good. His penalty is full of confidence and guts.
I wish to see him play more but injury really hurts him and the club.
We had been good to him but god just dont want him to play with us.
I wish you luck and recover soon!
A good player and could have achieve more.
kel
I urge you to read about the club’s history, believe me you will love them even more. United is not just a football club, its a life style and a love affair.
Seen a lot of his tribute videos and I love how Best appears unscathed from every horrendous challenge .. I have to admit that Best is a very charming lad.. So you can understand how he convinced Sir Matt to forgive him for his shenanigans.. RIP Georgie Best..
Another great articles! It makes this blog unique.
Thank you for sharing those moments with us.
I started to go to United games during Docherty’s early days and was at the QPR game in a cold and snowy January fixture at Loftus Road little knowing that it would be the last game that George Best would play for Manchestger United as the next game was an FA cup game at Plymouth and the ‘Doc” dropped him for missing training. There will never be another George Best.
Owh, Best is such a legend, I cried when he died, I was just a teen but I was so upset as such is my love for United and anything/anyone United related. RIP Best. Fingers crossed against Barce. Great read btw.
Another part of the legacy, hinted at by Sir Bobby, was the rise of United’s care of their young talent. The way Giggs was protected by the club (restricted media exposure) was strongly influenced by the search for the lessons of Best’s career. Giggs and Scholes are the perfect examples of these lessons applied.
I often wonder if we hadn’t known George Best would we have known Ryan Giggs in the way that we do? Nurtured to succeed but not to be satisfied.
I hope Best understood his legacy at the end; it would have made the leaving a bit easier, I think.
@Cedars.. Spot on mate.. We are more than a football club.. Our history, our traditions and our belief is what separates us from the rest.. We are Man United and we do what we want!!!!!
A great read . My youth flooded back .
Great Stuff, This gives me goosebumps
I just cant help wonder how greater United’s History would be without the Munich Disaster & how the busby babes would have turned Man.United Into Unquestionably The Greatest Football Club Of All Time . Just Imagine a blend of the babes that passed with holy trinity side.
RIP George Best
No Doubt The idiots on this blog loss concenration 1/8 of the way through.
oh Giles! Brilliant read as always…it was riveting. I hope Bests’ spirits live on in Wembley. How I wish I’d been able to see those great teams play…the Busby Babes and the 68 European Cup winners. This is going to be one crazy, nerve wracking week!
I got all misty eyed reading it too. Especially when Giles spoke about how he “lost” Best after that sombrero picture. So sad that such potential was never truly realized…his last medal at the age of 22. I love how Sir Bobby is at every Utd game, it would have been amazing to have the Holy Trinity spurring the lads on at Wembley. It’s amazing how a lot of us have never watched these players, yet we’re inexplicably drawn to them and moved by them. Could there ever be another club like United?
Whether you are one who believes in the power of God and Destiny; or are one who takes joy from the happy,ironic or sometimes macabre coincidences in the randomness of the world, it is perhaps fitting that on Georgie’s Birthday, Manchester United will lift a trophy that will make us the most successful team in English football.
In Sir Bobby and George Best, we saw two people, who would never have cast a second glance towards each other had it not been for their love of football, and the ability to respect and admire talent even if they did not particularly approve of the others’ lifestyle. What will keep them immortal though in our hearts is the resonance with the common purpose of seeing United not only win, but win with class and lose with our chins up.
If ever the time comes when we again have to face the dark days, these are the times that should keep us trudging down the dark road knowing that we will surely rise again, that we are Manchester United and that, in the spirit of champions, this club will NEVER DIE.
George Best, you will never be forgotten!
Tears.
Thank you Giles
Thank you George Best
Growing up in a Liverpool supporting family I remember long before I joined the United family that my mother would always call me Georgie Best Superstar.
I always as a kid never got it until it was that one day I happened to ask my mother why. She told me that she had a friend who used to go to OT from Wolverhampton just to watch George Best play. She would save as much as she possibly could and in those days that used to be be real hard work, but whenever she had enough and United were home she was always off. Her commitment to United was awe inspiring as my mother says – sometimes she worked harder still – through harsh winters all the way to summer humid nights just to get extra money together to go see her team.
My mother recalls that it was her friend who had nicknamed me Georgie Best Superstar as a very young child and it had consequently stuck with her.
I never knew the importance of Best or United until years later when I begun to understand Manchester United from within that Liverpool supporting family.
I remember I was always joked upon and more importantly bullied by Liverpool supporters who would countless hark on about about how good they were and how rubbish we were.
And how things have changed.
Today I now remember with fondness those innocent years of being called Georgie Best superstar. I of course never ended up as a footballer and luckily for me that is pretty easy to live with. But to have been called Georgie Best was a privilege beyond any other reasoning.
It made me who I am today. When I walked into Manchester United as a kid growing up in the early 80′s – not even in my widest fantasies would I have thought that United would one day not only catch Liverpool but right a wrong of them being the best in the land.
And today on the cusp of greatness and Wembley against Barcelona – I am reminded of such great spirits of great players that have bought us all here and together to share the same thing.
If it wasn’t for the real Georgie Best Superstar, today we would not mourn him and equally celebrate everything he did for the one thing we all believe in.
Manchester United.
We stand not only on the shoulders of these superstars but more so of Giants – Giants that have served Manchester United in what words cannot describe.
In a little small way I came to Manchester United because of a nickname that was put upon me. A nickname that I will cherish to my dying day because his loss has bought home what it means to be a part of this club.
This shirt is a symbol of unparalleled and unequalled defiance
I9
Morning all Reds, great day in store today eh? Always a pleasure to read your articles Giles!
Thanks Mr Oakley, for another great read. I’m sure many fans who requested such an article will enjoy it thoroughly, as I did. The humour of the man made him many friends. Great comments above too. The Giggsy parallels etc. My older brother shared George’s love of the tipple. We live in a drink culture, hence it’s easy to be a drinker and at the same time, easy for me to not be a drinker, having witnessed it’s controlling effects. George’s story doesn’t make me sad, because the memories that he’s left are chiefly those from the pitch (along with a book’s worth of fantastic quotes!) I mean, there are many sportsmen famous for boozing, but George’s skills were enough to warrant the publicity without the extra-curricular activities.
Surely the report about the ’68 team not being invited to Wembley is false? Surely. This would be dealt with by the admin at the Old Trafford, not some twice removed finance obsessed cousin
I asked Giles a few months back, to write a piece on the great George Best. You didn’t let me down Giles. Brilliant read Sir. A thought – provoking article. It was good Bobby and George settled their differences before he died. It was all new then. The club didn’t know how to deal with the attention, Bestie was receiving from all and sundry. As George said in his later years, If one person thinks I was the greatest player of all time, that’ll do me. Maverick, legend and genius! Happy birthday Bestie and RIP Number 1 was Georgie Best…….
Great hat.
I keep saying this so often that you probably are getting tired of it, but you Sir really should be writing a book.
You really have outdone yourself with this one. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
I forgot to say Giles, thanks very much Sir. My old man supported United, because of Bestie. I’ll make sure he reads this. He’ll love it. He loves most things about Bestie.
Long as fuck but I couldn’t read it all.Great stories!
Lads Got a Video Of The New Home Kit !
Our New Shirt to Win The Record 20th & 5th CL
http://www.united-latest.com/1/post/2011/05/video-nike-promote-20112012-united-home-kit.html
Great piece of writing Giles. Shows how deep it runs when you can write like that after so long. I was one of those at the Dunstable match and looking back I left with the same feelings as you.
Lets win it next week for Georgie!
Thank you, Giles.
Makes me proud to be Northern Irish! ❤
What a truly exquisite article,sir.
Really touching. Also gave an Indian like me an insight into what England was like during the 60s and 70s.
This article shows just how brilliant writing from the heart can be. Amazing article, Mr. Giles. For those of us too young to have seen the holy trinity, this article is great to remind us once more that Manchester United is not merely a football club and George Best was not merely a mortal like the rest of us – on the football pitch of course.
And MG, you have added value to that article by citing your own personal story which was also really heartfelt. Kudos, my friend.
@jellybean, It’s amazing how a lot of us have never watched these players, yet we’re inexplicably drawn to them and moved by them. Could there ever be another club like United?
So true. Just hearing stories from people like Giles and Cedars makes your eyes water. Looking at our past, where we were in the 50s with the Munich disaster, then the incredible highs of the 60s, followed by the slump in the 70s and 80s and the incredible achievements we are living to see.
You don’t need to have seen all that, but it is really amazing that all of us realize from the heart that exactly what Manchester United have been through to be on top of the perch we are now.
That is exactly why everybody hates us, in a sense. The unity in this club from the players, manager, staff and more importantly fan from any part of the world is unparalleled in the world of football.
Absolutely fills me with pride to share my love with all you guys and gals.
great stuff as usual!!!! i do not know how you can remember so much detail!!!
Thanks MR Oakley. PS. Keep ‘em coming!
Bought Bestie a pint once…….. Bless Him
*all hail* Sir Giles _/\_
As Willie says, you should write a book on United through your eyes these past 6 decades! What a lesson it would be for those of us who have only lived through the “golden generation” under SAF.
This article, like the others by Sir Giles before them, a brilliant read.
Greatest player ever to pull on a united shirt, it was a real thrill to watch the great man.
god bless you george.
I did read your article Mr Oakley as i always do, it was fantastic and as normal you draw people into imagiining you are there with the pictures you draw with words.It was ‘pure magic’ with letters.
I wont bore you, as i tend to do with love in’s and sickly stuff.
I hope you are keeping great health and that curse of a disease is in backward mode.
I was very sad to hear a great red died , Norman from MUTV and various other United features he was red to the core.
Anyhow its a brilliant day, I wish you and you daughter and no doubt your suffering family, because of your devotion to the cause.
God Bless Mr Oakley… it was almost better than Blessed. 9.5 out of 10. lol
Peehhww! I’ve read books shorter than that! But worth the read, indeed. Ledgend on and off the field (not shining as much off it). Another player I regret to never have seen with my own eyes. Oh well, at least I’ve seen that boy Giggsey win it 12 times!
Many thanks for the kind comments from everybody. I had promised Willierednut and others that I’d write about Bestie, so it was kind of a sacred duty, and quite difficult to write in a way, so much having been written about him before, and him being such a mass of contradictions.
Thanks to MG for your truly touching tale, which makes me very chuffed that it was prompted by what I’d written.
Thanks Jellybean as always. I always feel you ‘get’ what I’m saying which is brilliant.
Thanks also Balaji Sivararaman. It’s a source of great satisfaction that people of all nationalities and cultures are part of the United family, and I’m glad you enjoyed this piece on Bestie.
Finally thanks to RedScot for the kind thoughts for my health and my longsuffering family, who had to endure the stage when United were 2-1 down!
“temporary, like Achilles”
Giles, I always adore reading your work. Love your unique perspective and the details you include in your writing. You’re brilliant
i have read this blog for the past year, and finally decided to make a username and be able add comments. Despite the name, I am a very new United Fan, only have been born two decades ago hailing from the U.S. My first and only United game was in 2003, at the Meadowlands in New Jersey on their American Tour, when United played Juventus, and we won 4-1, with Giggsy scoring a brilliant free kick and Ronaldo missing an open net. Even though i was captivated by them before, my love grew ten fold. Although I know and cherish the history of the club, pieces like this make me proud to be a United fan. Not only to hear history recounted, but personal experiences of fans on this site are chilling and moving. I would give anything to be able to see Edwards, the holy trinity, Cantona, and all the legends of the club play. I just want to say thanks to all those that contribute to the site, and everyday after work I look forward to reading the new articles and banter that occurs on the site.
Fantastic article Sir Giles, brought back a lot of cherished memories, not to mention a tear to the eye! You too MG – kudos.
Mr. Oakley,
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your writing. I’m from across the pond in the U.S.A. and was blessed by God to have United find me 10 years ago. I have become a prodigious purveyor of the history of this great club. It is your writing of your personal history as a supporter of the club through the years that really brings home what it means to follow United. Today you have provided me with insight into one of United’s greatest players. While I was just a child when George was in his decline, I remain awe-struck whenever I see highlights of him in action. What a joy it must have been to see him in person at the high point of his career. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of writing with us!
Giles
Excellent article on George Best, a brilliant footballer and seemly complex man. I saw George many times and he was such a thrilling sight in full flight his demise was really tragic.
Growing up in Dublin in the fifties I did not have any geographical affiliation to an English club. Locally I supported Shelbourne,Tony Dunne came to United from them after we won the 1960 FAI cup. When the Munich air disaster happened Bill Whelan’s funeral courtage passed our school which is next to Glasnevin cemetery where Bill is buried. My sympathies were from then on with United as I always ‘looked out’ for them in the football pages. I always bought Charles Buchans Football monthly and Internationl Soccer lapping up interviews with Denis Violett, Bobby Charlton,Albert Quixall etc;
My first opportunity to see United came when the big ‘freeze up’ occured in the season 1962-63.The weather in Dublin being milder some of the clubs from the North West came over to play friendlies in order to keep in shape. United played Coventry(then managed by J. Hill and in the third Div.)at Milltown Shamrock Rovers ground to a packed house. The game ended 2-2 but I was besotted by the electrifying play of my all time United hero king Denis Law.When I later saw him on TV destroying Leicester City in the cup final that year there was never any doubt United were my team for life.
I came to live in London in 1964 and that’s when I first saw George Best in action. I’d seen his name on the team sheet in the Irish papers the previous season. I was at the game at Stamford Bridge in Sept. ’64 where he destroyed Ken Shelito, but I have a more vivid memory of him giving Don Howe the run round at Highbury when United beat Arsenal in a 2-3 thriller. He was so skilful and confident for such a young player. Coming away from the game I overheard and Arsenal supporter say to his friend
“Always a great game here against United and that young winger of theirs Best, what a player! he’ll soon be playing for Englang” Little did he know he was from Northern Ireland. From then till he ‘retired’ I saw George thrill football fans everywhere it was so sad to see him decline. The last time I saw him was his final league game for United on new years day 1974 at Loftus Rd against QPR. Rangers at the time were a really good team and in the ascendcy and United were in definate decline. George cut a sad figure, overweight,he could hardly run, and an unkempt beard that made him look like Demis Roussos, and the Rangers fans mocking him as they slaughtered us 3-0. Leaving the ground I felt so sad at the ignorance of Rangers fans and thinking of George a few years earlier being such a beautifully balanced player with all that skill at his disposal gone to waste. I was never to see him play again but I did see his rather sad appearance on Wogan. I would recommend to any United fan to read Gordon Burn’s brilliant book Best/Edwards. Most of George’s Biographies are drivel except Bestie by Joe Lovejoy but this is a really revealing book. ‘Tis difficult to know what makes and shapes people, a combination of circumstances I guess, but George comes accross as a sad loner drinking himself to oblivion,totally self absorbed and with a total lack of commitment to his family or the many people who showed him such good will. Finally I can only only repeat Ivan Ponting from his excellent book Manchester United: The Red Army.
“Lets wish George Best well and thank the gods that sent him to thrill us”
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