| Most soccer players cope well with their rise to fame | | | | game against Northampton Town), playing. He played |
| and enjoy playing soccer, earning money and enjoying | | | | mainly as a winger. The highlight of his career for the |
| the good things in life that come with it. A soccer | | | | "reds" was undoubtedly winning the European Cup |
| player's career at the top can be as short as ten | | | | with them in 1968, Best scored a brilliant solo goal in |
| years, and a player with a head on his shoulders will | | | | extra time in United's 4-1 victory over Benfica in an |
| soon realize that they have to safeguard their future | | | | emotional night at the Wembley Stadium in London. At |
| by investing in their health and their financial stability | | | | the age of twenty-two the world was at his feet. |
| after their careers on the soccer field has drawn to a | | | | At the peak of his career Best has been called the |
| close. | | | | most naturally gifted player ever to come out of the |
| The sad fact that some players abuse not only the | | | | UK, rivaled only by Pelé and Diego Maradona on the |
| gifts they have been given, but also make a mockery | | | | world stage |
| of the adulation and trust that have been placed on | | | | While at Manchester United, Best's talent and |
| them by their team mates, their families and the fans | | | | showmanship made him a crowd and media favourite. |
| who indirectly were involved in paying their inflated | | | | He was dubbed "the fifth Beatle" for his long hair and |
| salaries. Soccer players should serve as a personal | | | | good looks. Sadly George became more and more a |
| example to young people of the rewards the sport | | | | cult figure and less a soccer player, and at the age of |
| can bring. One of the first and most tragic examples | | | | 27, Manchester United released him from his contract. |
| was that of George Best of Manchester United and | | | | He wandered the soccer stage for another ten years, |
| Northern Ireland. Best was a member of the great | | | | becoming more and more a freak show. When he |
| Manchester United team that won the European Cup | | | | eventually retired, he ran out of money not long after. |
| in 1968, and was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, | | | | When interviewed at this bankruptcy hearing, Best, |
| scoring nine goals. | | | | who had made a fortune during his time as a player, |
| George Best was discovered in Belfast by | | | | said "Most of my money was spent on women, |
| Manchester United Scout Bob Bishop aged 15. He was | | | | drinking and fast cars" "The rest I just squandered." He |
| subsequently given a trial by chief scout Joe | | | | summed up. |
| Armstrong in 1961. So impressed was Matt Busby with | | | | Despite his failings, George Best remained a much |
| this small in stature, slim in build soccer genius that he | | | | loved figure amongst the British public. His battle |
| signed him on the spot. George wore the red soccer | | | | against alcoholism came to an end in November 2005 |
| uniform of Manchester United for the first time in 1963. | | | | when he passed away at the age of 59. He was |
| His teams mates then were Denis Law and Bobby | | | | out-lived even by the legendary Manchester United |
| Charlton, with whom Best had a love/ hate relationship | | | | manager Sir Matt Busby who nurtured him to |
| for almost forty years. | | | | greatness, "We had our problems with the wee |
| He made 466 appearances for Manchester United in | | | | fellow," Busby commented, "but I prefer to remember |
| all competitions, scoring 178 goals (including six in one | | | | his genius. |