Football legend Best dead at 59

A fan lays flowers at a mural of George Best at the home of Best's father in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Best died at the
age of 59 in a west London hospital after losing his long battle against alcoholism.

Football legend George Best died at the age of 59 in a west London hospital after losing his long battle against alcoholism.

The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger died at 12:55 pm (1255 GMT), a hospital spokesman said.
He hadmultiple organ failure after developing a lung infection last week that led to internal bleeding.

"After a long and very valiant fight Mr George Best died this afternoon in the intensive care unit at Cromwell Hospital," a
spokesman said in a statement.

"The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best's family at this time."

Ranked alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as one of the great figures in the beautiful game, Best was regarded as the
first "pop-star" footballer, but his party-going lifestyle finally caught up with him.

His family made an emotional statement outside the hospital, read out by Best's sister Barbara McNarry.

Calum Best, son of the late football legend George Best announces the death of his father outside the Cromwell hospital in London.

"As you can imagine this is a very difficult time so you will understand if we are a bit emotional," she said, fighting back the tears.

"I would like to say on behalf of the family, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported George and us through this traumatic time.

"To the thousands upon thousands of people who have sent cards and emails, we have taken great comfort from them."

Best's son Calum, 24, said: "Not only have I lost my dad but we've all lost a wonderful man."

The player's father Dickie, 87, asked that the family be allowed to grieve in peace.

Best, whose battle with alcoholism led to a liver transplant in 2002, was taken to hospital on October 1 with an infection thought to be
linked to immuno-suppressant drugs used to help prevent his body rejecting the new organ.

A man adds flowers to a makeshift floral tribute for George Best outside the Cromwell Hospital. Football legend Best died at the
age of 59 in a west London hospital after losing his long battle against alcoholism.

His health deteriorated rapidly at the end of October when he developed a kidney infection. He had been making daily progress until
last week when he suffered a severe setback, developing a lung infection.

Best will be buried in his home city, next to his mother Ann in the Roselawn cemetery in the Castlereagh hills above east Belfast,
his agent Phil Hughes said.

"It will definitely be in Belfast, that's where George told me he always wanted it," Hughes said.

"When the subject came up, his father Dickie said to me he would like to take him home to Belfast."

Best's doctors warned Thursday he was entering his final hours after his internal organs failed beyond recovery. He died in intensive
care with doctors saying they could do nothing more for him.

Fans of George Best comfort each other outside the Cromwell Hospital in west London. Football legend Best died at the age of 59 in a
west London hospital after losing his long battle against alcoholism.

Friends and admirers paid emotional tributes to Best as fans left flowers, scarves, team shirts and farewell messages outside the hospital,
while newspapers reminisced about Best's highs on the pitch and lows at the mercy of alcohol.

Among the tributes left near the hospital entrance was a United shirt bearing Best's name and the number seven, which he wore
during his glory days.

Best's second wife, Alex, said she would always miss the troubled star who she called the love of her life.

The couple married in 1995 and divorced in 2004.

"George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy," she said in a statement.

"I will always miss him."

Best's talent for beating opponents with tricks, swerves, plus a devastating turn of pace earned him the respect and admiration of fans
across the globe.

England legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who played alongside Best at United in the 1960s, said: "Anyone that witnessed what George
could do on the pitch wished they could do the same.

A candle stands next to portraits of George Best outside Old Trafford stadium in Manchester. Football legend Best died at the age
of 59 in a west London hospital after losing his long battle against alcoholism.

"He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. Football has lost one of its greats,
and I have lost a dear friend," the United director said.

Speaking at a Commonwealth summit in Malta, British Prime Minster Tony Blair said: "We all know George Best was one of the most
naturally gifted footballers of his generation. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family."

Best made his professional debut for United in 1963, aged 17, going on to help the club become the first English side to lift the
European Cup in 1968. In the same year he was voted European Player of the Year.

He won 37 international caps before heavy drinking took its toll and he unexpectedly quit Manchester United for good at the age of 28.

Best's alcoholism brought on a succession of health problems which led to the transplant, during which he nearly died. He was back on
the booze within a year, however, despite having been told another drink could kill him.

Source: Worldsoccernews.com

Videos	New Posters	CALENDARS	Books	Magazines	Games