George Best 1946-2005

[Robert HM]

OK it may not be settling the "should he have the organ" debate, though one thing struck me. He never blamed anybody else for the weakness in his character. No whinging saying the pressure of the fans drove him to drink or whining that it was the actions of the manager, many alcoholics use excuses, not him. As it happens, if I had such an organ that I was, sadly, unable to use, I would be content for it be given to George Best to keep many peoples hero alive for a few more years. Having said that wife beating is not forgivable.

[Decider]

Hello,

I've never seen George Best play in the flesh, but just from the footage and from fans recollections I have no doubt he was one of the greatest players the world has seen.  He found himself in a position where he was away from home and hero-worshipped from a very young age, and at a time when football and alcohol went hand in hand, unlike the no-alchohol rules around these days.  I have totaly sympathy with the man and his plight.  I do not condone his behaviour, but I can sympathise with him.

I was listening to the minutes silence on the Radio for the Rangers v Hibs game, and the fans started an impromptuo "There's only One Georgie Best" rendition.  I had a lump in my throat listening to the respect football fans clearly have for him.  I was deeply saddened by the tragedy of his death, not because of his time of death, but because of the way he spent his life and what could have been.  Alcoholism killed George best, it just wasn't in him to beat that demon.

Eoan

[Teacake]

Celtic decided at the the start of this season that, because of verbal abuse by a few mindless morons during the observation of a minute silence, they would have a minute of applause instead.

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The minutes applause was actually requested by the fans so that they could show their appreciation for Jock Steins remarkable contribution to the club on the 20th anniversary of his death. It was a celebration & not a sombre occasion & worked fantastically well, it really was an emotional event.

The same applied on Saturday for George Best, his talents on the football field being appreciated and not any weaknesses he had in other aspects of his life and rightly so IMHO.

I have attended dozens of games with minutes silences for one reason or another & 2 with applause & I can assure you the latter is more moving & emotional than a minutes silence although I do understand that there may be occasions where it is not appropriate.