Looks like the end for Besty

[InsaneApache]

Sad but inevitable for the man called the 'fifth Beatle'

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=328272&cpid=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=Final+hours+for+dying+Best&channel=football_home

[Ja'chyra]

This may seem a bit hash, but he made his choices so pays the price.

[English assassin]

Not being callous or anything but I'm struggling to see why anyone really cares that much?

Brilliant footballer never really delivers full potential in all too short career, spends next 30 years drunk, dies.

No doubt we are going to have a Diana style day of national mourning, but... ~:handball:

[Grey_Fox]

He deserves our sympathy why? He ruined his own liver, then gets a new one and ruins it. Somebody else should have gotten that liver besides Best.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Although I've not really felt any sympathy up until now, the thought of his lungs filling up with blood is quite sad really, not a nice way for anyone to die. Of course he brought it on himself, but its still unpleasant.

[InsaneApache]

Well I can't remember the thread asking to sympathize with him but BKB is correct to state that it isn't the best(sic) way to die (is there one?).....but what a footballer. I was lucky enough to see him play in person in the early 70's ( I was afflicted by an MUFC Grandad..it ok now though I support BWFC, I am cured ~D )..

One of the greats of the game and a character. Alcoholism is a disease and should be seen as one. To denigrate the man just because he suffered from alcoholism is petty and peevish. I agree though, given his history, another recipitant should have received the transplanted liver.

~:grouphug:

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Besty is the best example of how alcoholism can destroy your life. One of the best and most talented footballers, drink and drugs buggered up his career and his health.

I only hope none of the other greats end up the way bestie has

[Ja'chyra]

Well I can't remember the thread asking to sympathize with him but BKB is correct to state that it isn't the best(sic) way to die (is there one?).....but what a footballer. I was lucky enough to see him play in person in the early 70's ( I was afflicted by an MUFC Grandad..it ok now though I support BWFC, I am cured ~D )..

One of the greats of the game and a character. Alcoholism is a disease and should be seen as one. To denigrate the man just because he suffered from alcoholism is petty and peevish. I agree though, given his history, another recipitant should have received the transplanted liver.

~:grouphug:

Who is denigrating him just because he was an alcoholic? They are all valid comments and more often you see diefication just because they died, see Dianna.

Once he dies then open a sympathy thread, people who don't feel the same will simply avoid posting, but until then all I see if honest opinions.

[LeftEyeNine]

He was around 18, IIRC, when he had scored a couple in our well-known 8-0defeat against England.

Shall he rest in peace..

[Prodigal]

He deserves our sympathy why? He ruined his own liver, then gets a new one and ruins it. Somebody else should have gotten that liver besides Best.
Beat me to it...

[InsaneApache]

He was around 18, IIRC, when he had scored a couple in our well-known 8-0defeat against England.

Shall he rest in peace..

Don't let ShadesPanther hear you say that ~D ..he was an Irishman and played for Northern Ireland

EDIT:sry left out the 's'

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

He was around 18, IIRC, when he had scored a couple in our well-known 8-0defeat against England.

Shall he rest in peace..

As Apache stated, he was Northern Irish mate! Not sure if you're on about the 84 or 87 one, but I can't tell which player you're talking about!

[InsaneApache]

As Apache stated, he was Northern Irish mate! Not sure if you're on about the 84 or 87 one, but I can't tell which player you're talking about!

Gazza????.....

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

I England played Turkey and beat them 8-0 in 1984. The scorers were:

Robson (3), Woodcock (2), Barnes, Anderson, i'm not sure who got the other one

In 1985 we beat them 5-0 with Linker getting three with Waddle and Robson getting the others.

In 1987 we beat them 8-0 again this time:

Lineker (3), Barnes (2), Robson, Beardsley, Webb

I think Gazza got a couple against them in 92 with Shearer and Pearce the other.

LEN, it might be Lineker or Robson you are confusing him with. Both amazing players bacl in the days of yore

[LeftEyeNine]

Ha great !

it was Lineker... Erm.. Well isn't he dying ?

P.S. Bwahahahah ! What a terrible mistake.. ~D

P.S.S. George Best and Gary Lineker.. How the hell could I ? Only "G" is common..

[English assassin]

Mixing up George Best and Gary Linekar is actually quite funny. Gary was Mr Goody Two shoes and Best... wasn't.

never mind though LEN at least you didn't confuse him with John Barnes ! ~;)

[LeftEyeNine]

only G man, ONLY G ! HOW THE HELL ?!!

~D

[Geoffrey S]

While it's a shame for him and relatives, the constant reporting of his dying isn't news; I don't find it particularly respectful of the press to report his illness so intensely, whether he brought his troubles upon himself or not.

[Louis VI the Fat]

I just read that he has now died. Tragic, 59 is too young for a former athlete.

I don't know the footballer Best - way before my time - but this quote of his is just priceless:

"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." ~D

[Mount Suribachi]

My sympathy goes out to the whole Best family.

However I must echo the thoughts of others in this thread regarding Best wasting his talent and his life. I bought his autobiography for my dad a couple of years ago - my dad is a lifelong Man Utd fan. Surprisingly, he hated it and it poisoned him against Best forever. He leant it to me and when I read it I went through the exact same emotions that he did.

Brits may remember a few years ago when he was hawking his book on all the TV Talk shows, interviews on Parkie and the like. He was constantly giving it the "I'm so ill, if I have one more drink it could kill me" line. You read his book and find out that even as he's doing the rounds telling everyone that he has to stay off the booze or he might die, he was still drinking!!!

He constantly refuses to take responsibility for his booze problem. Its his family genes. Or its Matt Busbys fault cos he wasn't strict enough with him. 10 pages later its Matt Busby fault again, only this time its cos he was too strict with him. The book was one big wah-wah I'm poor old George Best, everyone please feel sorry for me.

He was washed-up at 24, bouncing from club to club earning his money based purely on his name and reputation, his career over before he had even reached his peak. He admits, nay boasts, about the fact that he could never be bothered with run of the mill league games, only wanting to play in the big games. Hardly the most ringing endorsement of those eulogising him now with the "he was the greatest British footballer ever".

I wish I had never bought the book and given George Best £15 of my hard earned money to squander on more booze with which to soak his transplanted liver.

If it feels like I'm venting, its cos I am. Now we're going to be subjected to another Diana-esque media love-fest, I won't be able to watch the TV or listen to the radio without hearing another ex-pro/drinking partner telling how Bestie was "the greatest".

Again, my sympathies to the Best family.

[Slyspy]

I've yet to speak to a single person who retains any respect for Best. I feel the media is way off public opinion on this one - most people just don't care beyond a belief that someone more deserving could have had that transplant.

[Adrian II]

Mixing up George Best and Gary Linekar is actually quite funny. Gary was Mr Goody Two shoes and Best... wasn't.Gary Lineker played very well and was and still is every inch a gentleman. That is why Lineker is highly respected in The Netherlands and Best... isn't.