spiny norman 0 Report post Posted November 25, 2005 http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2303072005 George Best , the ex-Northern Ireland, Manchester United and Hibernian footballer, has died in hospital. The 59 year-old had been on a life support machine since last Friday. Best was admitted to the Cromwell Hospital in west London on 1 October with flu-like symptoms. He developed a kidney infection and, after a brief improvement, his health deteriorated further. He was taken into intensive care after picking up a lung infection. Best had suffered from years of alcohol abuse and three years ago underwent a liver transplant. However, he continued to drink. Best asked that a picture of him in hospital be published as a warning to others about the dangers of alcohol abuse. The picture was published on the front page of the News of the World accompanied by the caption "Don't die like me". Best is still regarded as one of the most talented players of all time. He scored 180 goals in 465 appearances for Manchester United and lifted the European Cup in 1968, the same year he was named European Footballer of the Year. Towards the end of his career, Best came north with a move to Edinburgh club Hibernian. He played his first game in November 1979 against Partick Thistle before a crowd of 22,000 - vastly up on Hibs' usual home gate of 8,000-9,000. His time in Edinburgh was short-lived, however, lasting only until October 1980. He retired from football at the age of 27. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
