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Sport	Soccer
Name	George Best
Subtitle
Number	34-22
Info	In the late 1960s, there was not a player in the world more skilful than George Best. His astonishing balance, tremendous acceleration, baffling body swerve and ability to shoot with both feet would have been exceptional in any context. In the gruelling English First Division, with its emphasis on the physical, his success was a miracle. Best came from Belfast in Northern Ireland as a 15-year-old. Within days he returned home, disillusioned with Manchester and homesick and only the firmness of Manchester United manager Matt Busby brought him back. Within two years, he was making his League debut in September 1963 and eight months later winning his first cap for Northern Ireland against Wales. In his second season in the United team, they won the Football League championship. Best missed only one match that season, and scored 10 goals from the wing. Two seasons later, in 1966-67, he played in all 42 matches when United won the title again. But it was the following season, 1967-68, that Best probably reached the peak of his ability. That season, he was the League's top scorer with 28 goals, and helped United to the European Champions' Cup final against Benfica. Benfica had drawn level at the end of the game, forcing it into extra time. But barely a minute had gone in the extra period when Best took the ball in his own goal area, ran the length of the pitch, dribbled it round the Benfica goalkeeper to put United 2-1 ahead. They won 4-1, and Best was elected European Footballer of the Year. He was never quite the same again. He was sent off in the World Club Championship match against Estudiantes a few months later, and gradually fell into dispute with his club. Finally he walked out on soccer, spent a year doing nothing and came back on a free transfer to a Fourth Division club, later joining Second Division Fulham. But the great days were behind him.
Photo Info	GEORGE BEST Born May 22,1946, In Belfast, N. Ireland AWARDS AND RECORDS European Footballer of the Year 1968 Played 31 matches for Northern Ireland (incl. 1975-76 season) League Championship medal, 1964-65, 1966-67 European Champions' Cup Winners medal, 1968 Football League top scorer (28 goals) 1967-68 Best playing for Fulham against Wolves in 1976
Copyright	© 1978, Editions Rencontre S.A., Lausanne Photo Syndication International Printed in Italy 03 005 34-22