George Best and Ireland

I have been watching all the tributes of Best on tv and one point that kept re-accuring was the fact that Best was a genius but he was left to his own devices in Manchester and he left football prematurely.

The problems were that there were no structures in place to deal with players of that genius. I just wonder if another george best came along today would the clubs and indeed the FAI be able to cater for him ?

One of George best's wish was for all ireland soccer team. The sad fact remain that Northern IReland were too weak to make it to the finals and if ireland ever produced another player of such quality it might be de ja vu.

The world missed out on his genius and maybe its about time serious thought was put into the whole idea even though the north is not producing world class player at the moment.

Heard on the radio that George wanted an all Ireland team to play Manchester United as a tribute to his memory. Great idea it could kick start an all Ireland team. God Bless Georgie RIP

According to Sky news, Man United are planning a tribute game in January/February of next year.

The plan is for a Man U v All Ireland team.

Bestie had always been keen on a single team representing the whole island.
His arguement was that by pooling resources etc.. We would have a better chance of challenging for major honours.

He took quite a bit of stick from n.i supporters following his remarks.

Derek Dougan has also been a long time advocate of an all Ireland team , but again, suffered a great deal of criticism from within the n.i support base.

Dougan even had his image defaced by fans on a mural depicting some of the n.i players of the past in Belfast

A great idea and a fitting way to salute a hero that has been claimed by both sides of the island as one of their own.

It will allow us to be united as one, if only for 90 mins, but my feeling is that it will open doors, build bridges and lay the foundations for future plans of a united Ireland soccer team, something that I would love to see in my lifetime.

Great idea but I wouldn't like to see an Ireland XI vs. Manchester Utd game though - club vs country games are, by default, meaningless testemonial/pre-season friendly type games. Supporters in the crowd would have half-utd/half-Irish scarves and there would be zero intensity to the game.

England are due a friendly on 1 March, and there are already rumours of ROI playing it. Having an All-Ireland team playing England in a World Cup warm-up would definitely be a proper football occasion to do justice to Best. Having it at Old Trafford should minimise the risk of crowd trouble as the locals would (hopefully!) not want to show disrespect.

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Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

Great idea but I wouldn't like to see an Ireland XI vs. Manchester Utd game though - club vs country games are, by default, meaningless testemonial/pre-season friendly type games. Supporters in the crowd would have half-utd/half-Irish scarves and there would be zero intensity to the game.

England are due a friendly on 1 March, and there are already rumours of ROI playing it. Having an All-Ireland team playing England in a World Cup warm-up would definitely be a proper football occasion to do justice to Best. Having it at Old Trafford should minimise the risk of crowd trouble as the locals would (hopefully!) not want to show disrespect.

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doesn't matter if its the most awful game ever seen on the planet, it will be a breakthrough and a true legacy to best that it was him who was able to draw thse people together

A NUMBER of Ireland's foremost football stars have joined a call for an all-Ireland soccer team to come together in order to play England - in memory of George Best.

Sports Minister John O'Donoghue has also welcomed the prospect of the game. Paul McGrath, John Giles, Liam Brady and Packie Bonner have all put their backing behind the idea.

Sunday Independent.

Does anybody know what time the FAI headquaters is staying open until this evening for people to sign the book of condolences?

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Originally Posted by silentbob

Does anybody know what time the FAI headquaters is staying open until this evening for people to sign the book of condolences?

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Was wondering that myself - also anyone know what day the book can be signed up til?

Best on a united Ireland team: "I just believe in trying something. If it doesn't work, at least you've tried. I still hope that in my lifetime it happens."

Shame he never lived to see it. Here's hopeing his and many others dream lives.

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Originally Posted by Cosmo

Was wondering that myself - also anyone know what day the book can be signed up til?

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Received an email back from the FAI saying that the headquaters will be open until 5.30 everyday up until friday.

in the last couple of days i've had a complete turn around in my opinions on best, and indeed his death. why all the sorrow, why all the sadness, why all the grief? this is a man who for the last 25-30 years as wasted not only his own liver, but someone elses. someone else went without to give best that liver.
he was given a gift from god, a gift he never used to the best of his abilities, he was burnt out by 26.
he was never a good role model to children, not only was he an alcoholic, yes, granted, its an illness. he was also a wife-beater. he managed to marry a beautiful lady in later life, in alex best. how was she treated..like a complete idiot.
when i hear of people dying in car crashes as the result of a head-on collision with a drunk driver, its then i feel sadness...o sorry, best spent time in jail as the result of drink driving.

a gifted footballer yes, but a legend, role model, and hero, far from it, some may call it a disgrace.

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Originally Posted by livehead1

in the last couple of days i've had a complete turn around in my opinions on best, and indeed his death. why all the sorrow, why all the sadness, why all the grief? this is a man who for the last 25-30 years as wasted not only his own liver, but someone elses. someone else went without to give best that liver.

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He didn't die because of the liver so most likely would have died if he didn't go back on the drink. Anyway, he thought he would have the power to stay off the drink after the transplant. He was wrong.

He did die of his new liver because if he wasn't on so many immuno-suppressant drugs (which he needs so his own body wouldn't reject the new liver) he wouldn't have been so susceptible to infection in his other organs...

Best was a waster through and through. He could have been the greatest footballer ever but he wasn't no matter all the post death media s**te says. A waste of a unique talent. Why are all the most talented Irish footballers d**kheads in one way or the other:

Keane - troublemaker
Mc Grath - womaniser and alcoholic (could have been even better)
Best - see Mc Grath above
O'Leary - no commitment in his early years (which is why he fell out with Charlton)
Paul Butler - (joke)

What's wrong with being a womaniser?

I think even big-head Keane would be the first to admit he's not the most talented Irish player ever.

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Best was a waster through and through. He could have been the greatest footballer ever but he wasn't no matter all the post death media s**te says. A waste of a unique talent. Why are all the most talented Irish footballers d**kheads in one way or the other:

Keane - troublemaker
Mc Grath - womaniser and alcoholic (could have been even better)
Best - see Mc Grath above
O'Leary - no commitment in his early years (which is why he fell out with Charlton)
Paul Butler - (joke)

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Young Irish - ********

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Originally Posted by silentbob

Young Irish - ********

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Enough already. Attack the post please and not the poster.

:ball: PP

silentbob I am shocked at the severity of your post. I think its wrong that you should attack my character when I'm only giving my opinion on a footballing matter. If I am prone to such attacks in future I'm not sure its worth adding my thoughts to these forums.

Ah I'm only buzzing ur obviously a ball licker. How come ******** isn't censored on the forums?

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Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

Enough already. Attack the post please and not the poster.

:ball: PP

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Usually I would paddy but a post such as that one is so stupid that I believe the poster should be the one to be attacked. To be honest I wish at this stage I didnt make any comment on him as it only means he will get more attention.