1) Will’s Reminiscences
Perhaps the most brilliant footballer never to have played in the World Cup Finals has to be the late George Best from Northern Ireland. A legend in his native Belfast and in Manchester where he played for United it was said by no lesser a player than Pele that Best had been the “best player in the world”.
I was lucky enough to see George Best at Fratton Park [home of Portsmouth Football Club] in the 1970’s in a pre-season friendly. His dribbling was mesmerising and his ball control magnetic. In the second half he was standing level with the penalty area on the touchline when he received a pass which was going out of play above his head. Although against the laws of the game he jumped up arm extended upwards to drop the ball onto his right foot and drive the ball into the goal net from some 30 metres all in one movement. The goal was, of course disallowed, but the Fratton faithful rose to a man to acknowledge the skill.
2) Guy’s Reminiscences – Best’s Hat Trick
On a cold November in 1971 I went to see George Best play for Manchester United at Southampton. One of the benefits of watching a game live is you can just watch one player irrespective of where the ball is. For about half hour George Best did nothing. Then Sammy McIlroy crossed to the far post, it seemed like it was too deep for anyone to latch onto. But no, Best ghosted in at the far post leaped about 10 feet in the air and headed into the top corner.
Best’s second goal was just an average tap in. It was his third goal that I will never forget. Best had the ball on the 18 yard line, he was standing still, so was the central defender in front of him. George quickly dummied a shot to the right, the keeper moved to save, the central defender did not move. George then dummied to shoot left, this time the central defender dived, George nimbly avoid the flying boots, by now the goalie was recovering and moving back to the center of the goal, George side footed the ball in the corner where the goalie had just come from.
