George Best "has only hours to live"

[hallamblue]

Sorry but I though I'd post this in this section too :

Reports today from the London Cromwell Hospital where George Best remains, now "terminally ill" - indicates that the once great player " has only hours to live." Family are by his bed side, as George enters the final hours of his life.

His conditioned worsened over night with the return of internal bleeding, that medical staff are unable to stem and from which his Consultant, said there was "no return."


A sad end to a once great great footballers life - and a waste of life when you consider he will not reach his 60 th birthday !

[uefacup81]

My sympathies go out to the man and his family and all those who know him. Yes, we can sit here and criticise him all day, but at the end of the day, he did try and kick the habit in the last year or two - and perhaps its the greatest irony and unfairness of all that has led to his attempts to get off alcohol, and the liver transplant etc., killing him in the end. I've prayed for a miracle - but all we can do now is wait. Besty, his family and all those who know him will be in my thoughts and prayers

[Dubai Blue]

Sad day for all football fans. It should be a lesson to any young footballers who fancy a similar lifestyle but I suspect it won't be.

One assumes that the illnesses were a result of his long period of self abuse and that in many cases he carried on despite the knowledge that it was likely to end like this so its not a waste technically and its hard to have too much sympathy for him. But its very hard on his family and those who have loved him and tried over the years to put him straight before it came to this.

His flame didn't burn long but it did burn bright.

Best quote (paraphrased) - I have spent fortunes on women, drink, gambling and fast cars. ..... The rest I just frittered away. (I think I got that about right ).

[Earl Blue]

Respect to a footballing legend..

[Bluebird]

Respect to a footballing legend..

Agreed

[the-mole]

A footballing legend - perhaps the best the world has ever seen??

I think he will unfortunately be remembered for events off the field as opposed to events on it. This will probably be his legacy and he will be held up as an example instead of being remembered for the brilliance he once had as a footballer.

Regardless of the alcohol - he has a family which probably loves him dearly. Most of us have experienced a close loss at some time or another and so for that I feel for his family.

Alcoholism is a terrible illness - one which can rob even the most talented. Who knows just what George Best might have achieved had he led a clean lifestyle. I guess it is a lesson we can all try and learn from.

[Luke]

Pele was voted the worlds best ever...
Pele always maintained George Best was the best ever.
Its a true shame he will be remeberd for things off the feild.

[azbedwell]

I think he will unfortunately be remembered for events off the field as opposed to events on it. This will probably be his legacy and he will be held up as an example instead of being remembered for the brilliance he once had as a footballer.

Unfotuantly i think this is true. It is very sad that such a great footballer will probably be remembered for his problems rather than his gift. However as a 20 year old who has never really seen him play i guess i represent many people who have heard, seen and read far more about his problems than about his football. I know that if i only read what was put in front of me and never delved deeper i would probably be unaware of exactly how great he was. This however is how many younger people will grow up to remember George Best.

My thoughts go out to all his family. A sad end

[azbedwell]

Found a few other good quotes from Best. The last one is a quite poignant.

"I used to go missing a lot...Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World"

"He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right."
-- (his assesment of Manchester United's David Beckham)

"Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world. That is the ultimate salute to my life."

"I'm OK. Much better than on other occasions. It's true that I've made lots of mistakes but I've never tried to bother anyone, ... I want to stay alive, preferably in peace, without seeing every one of my mistakes in the papers, and on many occasions, even stories that are lies."

[Dubai Blue]

This last quote is a key one for me.

On the one hand why should we care if he pisses his life and talent away as one would have to say that he probably has, why should we feel that we need to have a view on his personal life decisions?

However on the other hand I'm not sure that those close to him would agree that he has succeeded in 'not bothering anyone' with his chosen path.

Perhaps we should avoid criticising the guy and remember the pleasure that he gave to those of us who didn't actually know him.

I met him once, maybe 12 years ago, in a bar that I think he owned in London. He was a pleasant guy who had a few words for someone he didn't know and had no reason to care about. That's all I know. But compared to some of the arrogant twats we pay to watch playing football today that's not so bad. Or maybe some of our senior forum members are going to tell me that he was just as arrogant when he was younger ?

[hallamblue]

[quote="Dubai Blue"]This last quote is a key one for me.

On the one hand why should we care if he pisses his life and talent away as one would have to say that he probably has, why should we feel that we need to have a view on his personal life decisions?

However on the other hand I'm not sure that those close to him would agree that he has succeeded in 'not bothering anyone' with his chosen path.

Perhaps we should avoid criticising the guy and remember the pleasure that he gave to those of us who didn't actually know him.

I met him once, maybe 12 years ago, in a bar that I think he owned in London. He was a pleasant guy who had a few words for someone he didn't know and had no reason to care about. That's all I know. But compared to some of the arrogant twats we pay to watch playing football today that's not so bad. Or maybe some of our senior forum members are going to tell me that he was just as arrogant when he was younger ?[/quote]

Whilst not wishing to claim the " one of the more senior forum members" title (that belongs to BB !)...I dont think Best is / was an arrogant player - even Sir Alex Ferguson commented last night "what a lovely man he is " .

And from a football supporter that has watched the game for a good ewhile , and seen many so calld "superstars" - the old saying they are not fit to lace his boots really is true.

Best is "guilty" of being the first footballer with true "glamour" - he was in many ways like Beckham was only a few years ago in terms of "marketability" and Gazza in terms of lovable rougue appeal, but sadly probably had poor guidance and took the wrong path, for which he is now paying the ultimate price !

[hallamblue]

As ameasure of the man Ive just read this post by CA on another web site...which I think is a fantastic indication of what George Best was all about as footballer. So I'd like to post here as a "tribute" to the footballing genius
...and thanks CA for finding it !!

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam in a World Cup qualifying match. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. I sat beside George.

Holland and Johan Cruyff were at their peak. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of Cruyff, rated the world No.1, and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. "Better than you?" I asked. George laughed. "You're kidding, aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight … I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get." And we both laughed.

When the Irish players were announced on the pitch. Best was last. "And now," revved up the announcer, "Number 11, Georgie [long pause] Best." And out trotted George. Above him, a beautiful blonde reached over with a long-stemmed red rose.

George stopped, trotted back, reached up to take the flower, kissed her hand and ran out on to the pitch waving his rose at the punters as the applause grew even louder.

Five minutes into the game he received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading for goal he turned infield, weaved past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist in the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what it meant. Cruyff the best? Are you kidding?

[Dubai Blue]

That's a quality story HB.

[Earl Blue]

As ameasure of the man Ive just read this post by CA on another web site...which I think is a fantastic indication of what George Best was all about as footballer. So I'd like to post here as a "tribute" to the footballing genius
...and thanks CA for finding it !!

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam in a World Cup qualifying match. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. I sat beside George.

Holland and Johan Cruyff were at their peak. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of Cruyff, rated the world No.1, and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. "Better than you?" I asked. George laughed. "You're kidding, aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight … I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get." And we both laughed.

When the Irish players were announced on the pitch. Best was last. "And now," revved up the announcer, "Number 11, Georgie [long pause] Best." And out trotted George. Above him, a beautiful blonde reached over with a long-stemmed red rose.

George stopped, trotted back, reached up to take the flower, kissed her hand and ran out on to the pitch waving his rose at the punters as the applause grew even louder.

Five minutes into the game he received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading for goal he turned infield, weaved past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist in the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what it meant. Cruyff the best? Are you kidding?

Truly a great story

[hallamblue]

RIP GEORGE !

[Bluebird]

As ameasure of the man Ive just read this post by CA on another web site...which I think is a fantastic indication of what George Best was all about as footballer. So I'd like to post here as a "tribute" to the footballing genius
...and thanks CA for finding it !!

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam in a World Cup qualifying match. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. I sat beside George.

Holland and Johan Cruyff were at their peak. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of Cruyff, rated the world No.1, and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. "Better than you?" I asked. George laughed. "You're kidding, aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight … I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get." And we both laughed.

When the Irish players were announced on the pitch. Best was last. "And now," revved up the announcer, "Number 11, Georgie [long pause] Best." And out trotted George. Above him, a beautiful blonde reached over with a long-stemmed red rose.

George stopped, trotted back, reached up to take the flower, kissed her hand and ran out on to the pitch waving his rose at the punters as the applause grew even louder.

Five minutes into the game he received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading for goal he turned infield, weaved past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist in the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what it meant. Cruyff the best? Are you kidding?

[Kheffan]

As ameasure of the man Ive just read this post by CA on another web site...which I think is a fantastic indication of what George Best was all about as footballer. So I'd like to post here as a "tribute" to the footballing genius
...and thanks CA for finding it !!

In 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against Holland in Rotterdam in a World Cup qualifying match. Back then the reporters stayed at the same hotel as the team and travelled with them on the coach to the game. I sat beside George.

Holland and Johan Cruyff were at their peak. George wasn't. I asked him what he thought of Cruyff, rated the world No.1, and he said he thought the Dutchman was outstanding. "Better than you?" I asked. George laughed. "You're kidding, aren't you? I tell you what I'll do tonight … I'll nutmeg Cruyff first chance I get." And we both laughed.

When the Irish players were announced on the pitch. Best was last. "And now," revved up the announcer, "Number 11, Georgie [long pause] Best." And out trotted George. Above him, a beautiful blonde reached over with a long-stemmed red rose.

George stopped, trotted back, reached up to take the flower, kissed her hand and ran out on to the pitch waving his rose at the punters as the applause grew even louder.

Five minutes into the game he received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading for goal he turned infield, weaved past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist in the air.

Only a few of us in the press box knew what it meant. Cruyff the best? Are you kidding?

GEORGE.... you were simply the best