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George Best's years with Manchester United made him a footballing legend nothing can tarnish. Indifferent seasons with lesser clubs, publicly disastrous liaisons, and an ongoing battle with alcoholism did nothing to erase the memories of this charismatic man. This insightful biography tells the story of his troubled relationship with his family in Belfast, his near-adoption by Matt Busby, his tensions with Bobby Charlton, his wives and lovers, and the serious personal failures, both on and off the pitch that brought him notoriety. Affectionate and revealing, it is a sympathetic account of the life of a flawed genius, one who brought joy to football fans everywhere.
This selection of BBC archive interviews with the celebrated footballer begins in the 1970s, when George Best is enjoying success at a young age. It continues into the 1980s, by which times he has become a husband and father and has also had to come to terms with alcoholism. Career and personal highs and lows are discussed, along with recollections of his upbringing, reflections on relationships, drinking and his deep passion for football. Final comments are heard in an interview with Nicky Campbell from 2000.
Michael Parkinson: 'What was the nearest to kick-off that you made love to a woman?'George Best: 'Er- I think it was half-time actually'George Best was the first celebrity footballer and to many the greatest British player ever. In Scoring at Half-Time he gathers together his favourite memories, stories and anecdotes from his experiences in and out of the game over the last forty years. No dressing room door is left unopened, no player's bar tale untold and no secret kept in this fond, humorous look at football's golden era from the man who was usually there when it happened. Inside stories and lurid tales about George, Bobby, Denis, Nobby and Fergie amongst others. Scoring at Half-Time will delight anyone who has ever wanted to spend time in the company of the footballing legend.
George Best needs little introduction. A legend in his own lifetime, he is undoubtedly the greatest footballer the UK has ever produced. Blessed with an extraordinary gift he brought a beauty and grace to the game never before seen. But Best was unable to cope with the success and fame his football genius brought. His fabled story is littered with tales of women and sex and, of course, alcohol. Much has been written about Best, but very little substantiated by the man himself. That is until George Best opened his heart and engaged us in one of the most exhilarating life stories for years, Blessed. In his own words George recounts the halcyon days at Manchester United, the big games and European Cup win of '68. And then there's the heartbreaking truth about the death of his mother and his struggles with alcohol that forced him to face up to a life without drink. Blessed reveals the man behind the up-for-a-laugh, boozy, womanizing stereotype that had dogged George Best for so long. Open and honest about his mistakes, George is also incredibly candid about his triumphs, his regrets, and, only three years before his death, what he had hoped for the future.'Don't coach him, he's a genius' Sir Matt Busby'Unquestionably the greatest' Sir Alex Ferguson
'We were the first generation to have to deal with the modern stardom of football. Some handled it better than others' George BestWritten in the months before he died, Hard Tackles and Dirty Baths is George's farewell letter to the great footballing era in which he burned so brightly - a personal history of the golden years before TV and agents changed everything. From the breaking of the maximum wage to the cusp of the first million-pound player, it follows the triumphs and tragedies of every season from 1960 to 1974. It is the story of our greatest footballing generation - Greaves, Moore, Law, Charlton, Osgood, Lorimer, Jennings, Hurst and, of course, Best himself.
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