News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)
SAD times - devoted fans this week left flowers and scarves outside his former home in Bramhall.
SAD times - devoted fans this week left flowers and scarves outside his former home in Bramhall.

It was the Best of times, it was the worst of times - town pays tribute


30/11/2005

EDGELEY Park erupted into spontaneous cheers on Saturday as fans of FC United and Cheadle Town said goodbye to George Best.

A bumper gate of 3,373 gave the Old Trafford legend a rousing send off on the ground where he played three matches for Stockport County in 1975.

As silences were observed around the country, including County's game at Mansfield, the people of Stockport paid their respects to 'Georgie' by laying flowers outside his former home in Bramhall and shirts and cards outside Edgeley Park.

Emotions ran high inside the ground, particularly with so many Manchester United followers present. And For Cheadle Town's chairman it was a poignant moment, having watched Best's first ever United match against West Brom in September 1963.

Chris Davies said: "It started with a silence for about 15-20 seconds and it just erupted into a clap and people started chanting his name.

"I saw most of the halcyon days of George Best, he was a tremendous player."

Julian Spencer, FC United spokesman, said that it was 'a very emotional' day.

He added: "We are all still Manchester United fans. Unfortunately some of us are a bit too young to have seen him play but many people have said that he's the greatest player that these shores have produced.

"There are going to be a million and one ideas as to how best to commemorate his life."

Des Hinks, County spokesman, added: "We were all deeply saddened by the loss of George. He increased the gates five fold for his first appearance for Stockport County and was a class above, there was no question about that. In the fourth division his talent shone out like a beacon."

George Best died on Friday of multiple organ failure at London's Cromwell Hospital. He will be buried in his home town of Belfast this Saturday, December 3. after a funeral service at Stormont.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)


Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   Get a life all you football supporters, what did he do for this country? he spent more of his life drinking!!!!!!! than he did playing football!!!!!!! OVER PAYED, OVER RATED, UNDER WORKED...and that goes for all players of today.
Andrew, Medicine Hat Canada
7/12/2005 at 02:40
   well done to show respect like this to a great man and a world class player thanks to you all a man u supporter from the 50s to the 70s.
tom murphy, vancouver island canada
1/12/2005 at 16:50
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
Platinum Exclusive Loan 7.8%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Alliance & Leicester 8.7%
Lloyds TSB 8.9%
HASH(0x2b600b4bf550)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
PRINCIPALITY BS
e-SAVER 		5.35%
ANGLO IRISH BANK
Easy Access Account Issue 2 		5.25%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		4.75%
BRADFORD & BINGLEY
eSavings 6 		4.60%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		5.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply