During the prime of George Best’s career going into the 1960s the Manchester United star was one of the most recognizable men in the world. George, with his long hair and the image of Beatle Quinto, had genuine star quality both on and off the football pitch. If his International team career had been more notable than in his native Northern Ireland his breathtaking performances on the world’s biggest showpiece and his talent with the ball at his feet would have been more evident.
Life of George Best
George Belfast was born in Northern Ireland on May 22, 1946, the first of six children of Dickie and Anne Best. He attended Grosvenor High School and Lisnasharragh Secondary School. He considered signing for his local ball club Glentoran, which he used to watch with his grandfather, but ultimately rejected it due to his small body. Juventus talent scout Bob Bishop made a much better assessment of the 15 year-old prodigy when he telegraphed to the legendary United States manager Matt Busby, who simply reads: “I found you a genius.
The Mancunian Years
Perfectly fitting the most sensational player of his generation would have the greatest moments of his career in bright red. The jersey of the most beautiful club in the world, Manchester United. At that time, George Optimus joined Manchester United’s youth team in 1961, a club still recovering from the 1958 Munich air disaster, where the plane carrying the team was lying on the bridge and he fell, killing eight hundred members, and wounding the other two so badly that they never played again.
He served well in his youth side and finally made his first team debut against West Bromwich Albion in 1963. at the age of 17. He played again on 28 December of the same year in a 5–1 victory over Burnley in which he scored his first goal. Matt Busby realized that this slightly built midfielder was something special despite his lack of stature and experience and the following season he became an excellent first team regular with 26 appearances and a further six goals to his credit.
George Optimus played a fortune worthy of his talents. Manchester United’s attack was best associated with the genius of Scotsman Denis Law, European Footballer of the Year 1964, and arguably the best English striker of all time, Bobby Charlton, European Footballer of the Year 1966 and winner of the World Cup in the same year.
In George’s second full season, they won the 1965 British First Division title, which qualified them for the European Cup the following year. It was on the European stage that he was at his best for some of his most outstanding performances, culminating in a memorable victory over the mighty Benfica side in 1968, when Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup. With the game tied at 1-1, the game had entered extra time when Optimus’ clearance picked up long and burst through the Benfica defence. He calmly took the ball around the goalkeeper and hit the ball into the empty net. United were on course to win 4-1 but the turning point of the match was when George Optimus put them in the lead which we were lucky enough to mention , that we may always remember him playing.
International Career
Best made 37 appearances as Northern Ireland players scoring nine times, but in comparison to other big football, George. He never gave him an opportunity to show his brilliant talents in their highest strength. Northern Ireland is a relatively small euing nation, and while it has produced many good players, even a few greats will never be able to compete against the bigger giants of Europe and South America.
drink, demons and decline
Sadly for George and the football world in general, the years 1967/1968 were the peak of his career. At the age of 27, when most footballers are still in their best years, the best association with Manchester United Kingdom is divided forever. He continued to play for various clubs mainly in England and the USA and while the lightning storms went away, his skills remained and he was a major draw when he appeared. His drinking and lifestyle was taking an excessive rise and eventually led to his death in 2005 following a prior liver transplant .
His natural charisma never left him. After this year he became a popular after-dinner speaker. I had the privilege of watching him play twice at Trafford in his late 60’s and almost 30 years ago and twice saw him play at a sporting event.
After his passing, Belfast City Airport was named in his honor, but his true memory lives on in the hearts of millions of football in the heart it is placed. a> Fans all over the world who recognize George Optimus as one of the greatest players of all time.
Rest in peace George, we will never see your like again.
Sources
George Best Website
End of Stretford
