Posted by methylated_spirit
Football legend George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59.
Best died in intensive care at 1255 GMT on Friday following "a long and very valiant fight", said a statement from west London's Cromwell Hospital.
His family, including son Calum, 24, and father Dickie, 87, had kept an all-night vigil at his bedside.
The ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had multiple organ failure following a lung infection and internal bleeding, after weeks of ill health.
Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern led tributes, describing Best as one of his "one of the best players the world has ever seen".
"In the days ahead people will struggle with words to try to describe his talent," Mr Ahern said.
"In this regard George should be remembered as the very best at what he did. He was quite simply a football genius."
GEORGE BEST'S HEALTH
March 2000: Severe liver damage diagnosed
February 2001: Treated for pneumonia
April 2001: Anti-alcohol pellets implanted into his stomach
July 2002: Undergoes liver transplant
November 2004: Routine operation to check on liver transplant
October 2005: Treated for kidney infection in intensive care
November 2005: Lung infection sees condition worsen
The hospital statement continued: "The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best's family at this time."
Best had been in hospital since entering with flu-like symptoms on 1 October, later suffering a kidney infection.
Best, a recovering alcoholic, was particularly susceptible to infection because of medicines he needed after a 2002 liver transplant.
The Belfast-born former footballer and television pundit had been prescribed medication to suppress the immune system and prevent his body rejecting the new liver.
At the time of his hospital admission in October, Best's agent Phil Hughes said his client had been "off the drink" before being admitted to the hospital.
Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the British and world game.
His heyday occurred during the 1960s, and he brought a pop star image to the game for the first time.
But the accompanying champagne and playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence for drink-driving and, eventually, his controversial liver transplant.
He helped Manchester United win the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968. His role in the team's success was recognised by his becoming the European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
Best made 466 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring a total of 178 goals.
He also won 37 caps - scoring nine goals - for Northern Ireland.
Posted by Sammy_boy
Rest in Peace George. I'm too young to have witnessed him play, but my mother has seen him in action and it apparently was a sight to behold.
It must be especially hard on George's father, I imagine he never thought he would outlive his own son.
Posted by WelshTom
thought's go out to his family. very sad news indeed.
Posted by Krubach
Condolences to the family of one of the BEST!
Rest in peace George.
Posted by brix25
Too much alcohol ain't good for ya health.
Posted by batesie
RIP
Posted by methylated_spirit
Do you think his liver tastes better than a normal persons?
Posted by EastCoastStar
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i bet it does have a diferent taste, a hint of alcohol
RIP george... I'm not too aware who he was, but aparently he was someone good.
Posted by methylated_spirit
He was a supremely gifted soccer player, right up there with maradona and pele in terms of individual skill. He was probably just as famous for his lifestyle, though, which ended up killing him. Heres a famous quote of George's:
"I spent a lot of my money on women, drink, and fast cars. The rest i just squandered"
Just shows you the type of guy he was. Incredibly talented player, though. A flawed genius.
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[ This Message was edited by: methylated_spirit on 2005-11-25 16:40 ]
Posted by joebmc
That liver he got donated to him should of gone to a better person one who would of treated it better.
Imaging if your loved one needed a liver and had died cos someone like best got it instead. Someone who would just abuse it!
Posted by jenbones
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They've seen him in Morrisons already marked as
"The BEST Liver"
Posted by methylated_spirit
Thats a fair point, but surely everyone deserves a second, third, fourth, thousandth chance?
Posted by joebmc
Maybe? But i here he also wants to donate... Who the ___ would want his parts? (well maybe the right/left foot
)
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[ This Message was edited by: joebmc on 2005-11-25 16:55 ]
Posted by axxxr
RIP..... Legend!!
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[ This Message was edited by: axxxr on 2005-11-25 17:00 ]
Posted by jenbones
Lengend?
Wow that's a new one...
Posted by p900 lover
RIP mate
Posted by WelshTom
some of you people seem to think that alcohol addiction is something that you can just click your fingers and it's gone. Well i got news for you - it aint that easy. George tried increadibly hard to overcome his demons as those closest to him will vouch. Unfortunately (like millions of others out there, be it drugs, alcohol, gambling etc) he failed and has paid the ultimate price.
and for the record it was actually the drugs he was on for his liver transplant that deliberately dissable your immune system to reduce the risk of the body rejecting the transplant. This is what made him susceptible to infections - and sadly this is exactly what he got. His family and agent all say he had not been drinking at all.
I feel very sorry for him and think comments to the effect of, he desserved to die and he didnt desserve the transplant are harsh and obviously from illinformed people with little knowledge of addiction.
Posted by jenbones
You have a point, at the end of the day, he started it(his drinking), and he ended it (by dieing). He was obviously a great football player, but not much of a role model in my eyes, we could debate about alcerhol all day and drugs whatever, but we'll proberbly end up going in circle as usual
*Raises Glass*
"To George"
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1100+ Posts [ This Message was edited by: jenbones on 2005-11-25 17:32 ]
Posted by joebmc
No he did not deserve to die but he did not deserve the transplant.
I know all about addiction having have worked in a drug rehab for a year and having a brother addicted to drugs (although clean now for 2 years) and plus given up smoking myself (which apprantly is the hardist of all addictions to give up).
Imo its as bad as fattys being lazy and saying "oh i inherted my condition" and taking pie's, McDonalds and lard for there "condition".
Fair enough not everyone has strong will power, but if your given a second chance in life you should beat your demons no matter what!
And was it not so long ago his wife left him for his contuining drinking?
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[ This Message was edited by: joebmc on 2005-11-25 17:40 ]
Posted by slattery69
perhaps just for today we maybe shouldnt debate the right and wrongs of george bests life. maybe today we should just reflect on the positive aspects of his life and the great footballer that he was.
the debate about him wasting his life away on drink and taking a liver from someone more deserving (whilst i agree with this) should be left for debate another day when his nearest and dearest have had there greiving time.
Posted by joebmc
Very true. I guess i should take back my negitive comments (for today
)
I feel sorry for his son who now has to carry on life without a father.
Peace be with him.
Posted by Krubach
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Ahem... well... maybe not that up...
Anyway, a gifted player he was.
Posted by slattery69
i think if you look back at his style he was up there with maradona and pele. pele certainly thinks so but then pele thinks england were going to win the last world cup so maybe hes not the best judge
Posted by PeterKay
What a great man he was, as Alex Ferguson said yesterday "what a likable man" and he will be missed very much.
Posted by jenbones
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I didn't say he deserved to die?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
But yes, good man...
Posted by tranquil
George Best was probably the most naturally gifted footballer the British Isles have ever produced.
He had speed, balance, vision, superb close control and the ability to create chances and score from seemingly impossible situations. The Brazilian legend, Pele, once remarked that George Best was "the best player in the world."
Best grew up on Belfast's Cregagh estate and played football for both Cregagh Boys Club and Lisnasharragh Intermediate School.
He joined Manchester United's ground staff in August 1961 after being spotted by Bob Bishop, one of United's top scouts. Despite a spell of homesickness he signed as an amateur and joined the Manchester Ship Canal Company as a clerk. He turned professional on his 17th birthday in May 1963.
Best's League debut was against West Bromwich Albion on 14th September 1963 and he scored his first goal in only his second appearance in a 5-1 victory over Burnley on 28th December 1963. He won his first Northern Ireland cap in a 3-2 victory over Wales, after only 15 League matches.
He won a F.A. Youth Cup winners' plaque in 1964, scoring one of United's goals in their 5-2 aggregate victory over Swindon Town. In 1965 he won a Championship medal adding a second in 1967. Best gave United an extra-time lead in the European Champions Cup Final in 1968, United eventually defeating Benfica 4-1.
He was already well known to Benfica having been instrumental in inflicting their first ever home defeat in European competition back in 1965 at the quarter-final stage of the European Champions Cup.
United had won 5-1 with Best scoring two goals and being christened 'El Beatle'. It was the start of a spectacular rise to superstardom for George Best. He also scored 28 League goals in 41 matches in 1967-68 season as United finished as runners-up in the League.
These 28 goals made him United's top scorer that season, a position he held for the following four seasons as well. His performances in 1967-68 season won him both the Footballer of the Year and the European Player of the Year trophies.
George Best made 361 League appearances for Manchester United scoring 136 goals. He also holds the record for the most goals by a United player in a single match (not including wartime), six versus Northampton Town, F.A. Cup fifth round on 8th February 1970. United won the match 8-2. He won a total of 37 Northern Ireland caps, 32 of which whilst at United.
Off the field, Best opened a number of fashion boutiques in Manchester in 1966 and 1967. He also opened a travel agency and a couple of nightclubs, Slack Alice's and Oscar's. Unfortunately these business enterprises were not commercial successes.
Best's career at United deteriorated during the 1970s. A rift developed between the club and player as off-field problems and the pressures of superstardom took their toll. He walked out on the club on a number of occasions, notably in 1972 when he announced his retirement and ran off to Marbella, Spain.
He returned to Manchester United in September 1973 but finally broke both Tommy Docherty's and Manchester United's patience when he failed to turn up for training in January 1974. His final League match for United had been in a disappointing 0-3 defeat against Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Day 1974.
The clubs he played for after leaving United are almost too numerous to mention but they include Dunstable Town (1974), Stockport County (1975), Cork Celtic (1975), Fulham (1976-77), Hibernian (1979-80), Bournemouth (1983) and Brisbane Lions of Australia (1983).
Best also played in the short lived North American Soccer League for L.A. Aztecs (1976-78), Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1978-79) and San Jose Earthquakes (1980-81). He made numerous guest appearances for teams in friendly, charity and testimonial matches.
( http://www.manutd.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=2305 )
Posted by tranquil
A legend died, and so did this topic...
I believe most of you are too young to remember George Best play but he was the firs football player who's name I learnt to pronounce. Not even a Norwegian playes got to get the honour of being the first one to be mentioned.
Posted by marlonski
RIP George !