THE BEST

This is my dedication to the best footballer ever. He may never have played at the World Cup but everyone knew, and still does know, his name. I consider myself lucky to have seen him play more than 300 times. 14th September 1963 was the date of his debut. The reference to Lisbon is to a European Cup match against Benfica. United won the game 5-1 George Best scoring 2 goals in the first 12 minutes. He was pictured all round the world wearing a sombrero on his return and got the nickname El Beatle.

G et back to the fourteenth of September 1963.
E ven then it was an extra special talent you could see.
O ut of Belfast Bob Bishop had uncovered a genius.
R unning rings round defenders, destined to be rebellious.
G rainy, jumpy, quirky black and white film chart his early game.
E l Beatle returns from Lisbon into the madness and fame.

B usby's beknighted sixties give way to years of hit and miss.
E scape comes with drink, he can't support the crumbling edifice.
S adly I wonder if my memories will begin to fade
T ime was when he was my youth, I was in the crowd when he played.