Take A Moment

In hard times such as these, when media strangles us with all sorts of facts and figures, maybe we should take a step back and look at things in a different perspective.

This is a poem by Steve Longden in tribute to George Best. Please take a moment to read it.

In 1946 on the 22nd May
The greatest player of his day
Was born near the shipyards of south east Belfast
On the Cregagh Estate, where kids grew up fast

Though they named him George, we knew him as “Georgie”
But back home in Ireland his nickname was Geordie
It was nothing to do with Newcastle, oh no
But Georgie in Ireland’s a girl’s name you know

The things that he loved doing most of all
Were following Wolves and kicking a ball
But at Grosvenor High they hated the game
So at Cregagh Boy’s Club he made his name

One fateful day aged just fifteen
He scored two against Boyland, who were all 18
Bob Bishop stood and watched him play
And rang Matt Busby straight away

In December 1963
His first at Old Trafford was scored against Burnley
It was only his second First Team game
But it set him on the road to fame

The fans all watched him play in awe
Alongside their heroes Charlton and Law
No shortage of awards in a glittering career
Such as European Footballer of the Year

Off-field diversions were part of the game
A champagne lifestyle accompanied his fame
The money, the clothes, the girls, the cars
The nights out drinking in trendy bars

But this is where things started going all wrong
Problems with drinking would soon come along
In training the drink had started him slacking
An incensed Tommy Docherty sent him packing

Through morbid intrusive journalism
He battled his fight against alcoholism
But although he knew it was making him sick
The booze was one habit he just couldn’t kick

He paid with his life so I think that we all
Should remember the man for his skill on the ball
He had skills unsurpassed by all of the rest
In name and in deed he was truly the Best.

Rest in Peace George.

by Steve Longden.
With thanks to Kevin Moran