Best, George Born: 22nd May 1946, Position: Winger Died: 25th November 2005 (Manchester United, Dunstable Town, Stockport County, Cork Celtic, , Fulham, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hibernian, San Jose Earthquakes, Bournemouth, Brisbane Lions and Northern Ireland)
Major Honours:  European Cup 1968 and European Footballer of the Year 1968. Relevant Career Statistics: 137 goals for Manchester United in 361 League matches  Admitted to the Hall of Fame: 1st November 2000 with 56% of the votes.
Roy of the Rovers References:   Roy of the Rovers "Talk In" feature on the Hibernian career of George Best - 5th April 1980. In response to a reader's query, Roy dedicates the whole of the Roy of the Rovers "Talk In" feature to George Best - 23rd June 1984 In the Roy of the Rovers comic dated 13th October 1990, George featured in a "Simply the Best" feature on the great man's career. George also named his top five players in the world at that time. He named them as follows: (1) Franco Baresi (AC Milan & Italy), (2) Diego Maradonna (Napoli and Argentina), (3) Marco Van Basten (AC Milan and Holland), (4) Pierre Littbarski (Cologne and West Germany and (5) Alan Hansen (Liverpool and Scotland). In 1972, the comic Scorcher and Score (amalgamated with Tiger shortly after) did a "Superstars" feature and George was chronicled on the cover of the 21st October 1972 comic.
Internet Links: There are a number of known web sites dedicated to George Best. The profile of George Best on the Internet's best and free encyclopaedia. This page also give links to other references to this hall of famer. The Official George Best Website - Still in its early stages. Red Devils Legend - George Best -  A fitting profile of the talented winger. George Best - International Hall of Fame  - Another excellent rundown on the star's career. The Best Page - All the BEST information you could require. George Best - Another profile of George
Books: There are two good books which provide an insight into the world of George Best  The Best of Times, - George Best and Les Scott. A book where George recalls moments which gave him the greatest pleasure.    The Good, the Bad and the Bubbly, - George Best and Ross Benson. Gives gives his own version of his life and career - a fascinating read.   Videos: There are two good George Best videos which are recommended. Soccer Legends - Law, Best and Charlton, all action video in Man Utd's glory years. in-depth interviews. George Best - Genius - The Official Video and Autobiography, in-depth interviews.

If one player has to be described as the most famous and arguably most talented footballing talent the British Isles has produced then it has to be George Best.

George was the symbol of footballing excellence for a whole generation, a pop-star image, often referred to as "El Beatle" after being christened that by the Benfica fans. There were other magnificent players from that generation including his illustrious team mates Bobby Charlton and Denis Law; but the mercurial Irishman was one on his own, and rightly so.

George spent 11 seasons with Manchester United, leaving in 1974 and if it wasn't for his drinking and domestic upheavals he could well have graced another decade like he did the 1960's. 

Plucked from obscurity by Matt Busby at 15, George found it difficult to settle in England but eventually came to terms with the switch, with the help of the father figure of Matt Busby and fellow Irishman Harry Gregg. From his first days in England it was evident that the shy, homesick wisp of a lad was special. He obtained rapid promotion to the first team and remained there for that vintage side's most dazzling years, an era that effectively ended in 1968 with the European Cup triumph in which he played such an inspirational part.

Matt Busby gave George his debut in September 1963 against West Bromich Albion and the young wizard went on to play 26 times that season, winning an International debut for Northern Ireland soon after. It is a sad state of affairs that he made his Northern Ireland debut in the same game as Pat Jennings, but while Pat went on to win 119 caps, George collected only 37. 

Championship honours followed in the 1964-1965 season, by which time George was front page news, setting trends in fashion and hairstyles off the pitch and bewildering opponents on it with his sublime skills. Throughout the mid-1960s George, while still maturing as a player, shone as brightly as any star in Matt Busby's exciting side. Two performances of worthy note were the tormenting of poor Chelsea full-back Ken Shellito at Stamford Bridge in 1964 and the demolition of Benfica, including two goals in the first 12 minutes, at the Stadium of Light in 1966.

George's finest hour came in 1968 at Wembley when he scored a wonderful solo goal to help Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 to win the European Cup. He became European and English Footballer of the Year and topped the First Division scoring charts with 28 goals.

When Matt Busby stepped down in 1969, the most influential figure vanished from George's life. In 1970 he scored six in one match against Northampton, a dazzling display on his return from suspension. Come 1971-72 United were facing steady criticism but temporarily silenced the critics by topping the league in the autumn. One goal George scored during this run, involving a spellbinding dribble against Sheffield United, was real "Roy of the Rovers" stuff. But results fell away, his personal problems piled up and the rest is now distressing history. Despite various comebacks, notably with Fulham where he sparkled momentarily alongside Rodney Marsh, his genius was lost to the game.

Aside from his legendary skill and speed George was also deceptively tough, could tackle like a full-back and was two footed and naturally fit. Unfortunately he never performed in the World Cup finals, as Northern Ireland failed to qualify.

After he finally hung up his boots George has remained regularly in the public eye as a broadcaster and did a popular roadshow alongside another of the great entertainers, Rodney Marsh. More recently he has appeared on Sky Television as a football pundit and is renowned on the after-dinner speakers circuit.

His admission into hospital with liver failure in February 2000 aged just 49 shocked the football world. He recovered but eventually sustained a liver infection and sadly passed away on 25th November 2005, a sad, sad loss. It has so often been said about the "What might have beens", but let us remember George for his football and be thankful for the years that he gave us.

He had the skill to enable him to play in just about any position and as a footballer he was practically flawless, such talent deserves to be in the Roy of the Rovers Hall of Fame.