Birth of George Best
Birth of George Best
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
George Best Biography and Timeline
Follow George Best through 62 dated historical records for Great Britain.
George Best, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
62Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1946–1974Years on this page
1946
1960
Cregagh Boys Club Development
Best plays youth football with Cregagh Boys Club in Belfast, developing the close control and dribbling ability that would later define his professional career.
1961
Discovery of Best
Best is discovered in Belfast by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United manager Matt Busby read: "I think Ive found you a genius"
Manchester United Youth Registration
After attracting attention in Belfast, Best enters the Manchester United youth setup and begins adapting to life and football in England.
1963
Debut
Best makes his Manchester United debut, aged 17against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in a 1-0 victory
First Manchester United Professional Contract
Best establishes his place in Manchester United’s professional plans after progressing through the club’s youth system under Matt Busby.
1964
First Northern Ireland International Goal
Best scores against Switzerland in a World Cup qualifying match, recording the first of his nine senior international goals.
First Senior United Goal
Best scores his first senior Manchester United goal against Burnley, marking an early breakthrough as an attacking first-team player.
Goal Against Scotland at Hampden Park
Best finds the net for Northern Ireland against Scotland at Hampden Park during the British Home Championship, although his side loses the match.
Northern Ireland International Debut Year
Best begins his senior Northern Ireland international career in 1964 and soon becomes one of the national side’s most recognisable footballers.
Best Emerges Beside Law
Best's dribbling added a new attacking dimension to a Manchester United side already containing Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.
1965
League Title
In his second season, 1964-65, Best and Manchester United claim the league title
European Cup Campaign Begins
With Manchester United back in European competition as English champions, Best takes part in a continental campaign that raises his international profile.
World Cup Qualifier Goal Against Albania
Best scores for Northern Ireland against Albania at Windsor Park during the qualification campaign for the 1966 World Cup.
Best First English League Title
Best helped Manchester United win the 1964-65 First Division, creating attacking openings for forwards including Denis Law.
1966
El Beatle
Best hits the headlines at the age of twenty when he scored two goals in a European Cup quarter-final match against Benfica, dubbed "El Beatle" in the press
European Cup Semi Final Against Partizan
Best appears in Manchester United’s European Cup semi-final campaign against Partizan Belgrade, which ends before the club can reach the final.
Two Goal Performance Against Benfica
Best scores twice in Manchester United’s 5-1 European Cup victory away to Benfica, drawing widespread attention for his fearless attacking display.
1967
League Title
The 1966-67 season is again successful as Manchester United claim the league title by four points
United Attacking Partnership with Charlton and Law
Best plays an influential role alongside Bobby Charlton and Denis Law as Manchester United’s attacking strength drives another successful league campaign.
Best and Law Regain English Championship
Best joined Law and Charlton in United's free-flowing forward line as the club won another First Division championship.
1968
Best Scores Extra Time Wembley Goal
Best rounded Benfica's goalkeeper and scored during extra time as Manchester United won the European Cup without the injured Denis Law.
European Cup
Best becomes a European Cup winner after scoring in the final against Benfica, United won 4-1 and Best is later crowned European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers Association Player of the Year
European Footballer of the Year
Best becomes a European Cup winner after scoring in the final against Benfica, United won 4-1 and Best is later crowned European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers Association Player of the Year
Player of the Year
Best becomes a European Cup winner after scoring in the final against Benfica, United won 4-1 and Best is later crowned European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers Association Player of the Year
European Cup Semi Final Against Real Madrid
Best scores the winning goal in the first leg against Real Madrid as Manchester United advance through their European Cup semi-final.
Extra Time Goal in European Cup Final
Best puts Manchester United ahead in extra time against Benfica at Wembley, helping the club become the first English winners of the European Cup.
Intercontinental Cup Confrontation
Best is sent off during Manchester United’s Intercontinental Cup return match against Estudiantes, a difficult encounter marked by intense physical play.
Best Receives Ballon d’Or Following European Cup
George Best takes the 1968 Ballon d’Or after inspiring Manchester United’s European Cup-winning campaign, notably scoring during the extra-time victory over Benfica at Wembley.
1969
Match Winner Against Sheffield Wednesday
Best scores the only goal in Manchester United’s league victory over Sheffield Wednesday while deputising in the centre-forward role.
Post Busby United Transition
Best remains a central attacking figure as Manchester United adjusts to the end of Matt Busby’s long first spell as manager.
1970
Northern Ireland Goal Against England
Best scores for Northern Ireland against England at Wembley in the British Home Championship, although England win the contest.
Six Goals in FA Cup Tie
Best scores six times in Manchester United’s 8-2 FA Cup victory over Northampton Town, producing one of the most celebrated individual displays in the competition.
1971
European Championship Qualifier in Cyprus
Best scores in Northern Ireland’s European Championship qualifying victory away to Cyprus, contributing to a three-goal winning performance.
Hat Trick Against Cyprus
Best scores a hat-trick for Northern Ireland in a 5-0 European Championship qualifying win over Cyprus at Windsor Park.
Manchester United Leading Scorer Streak
Best’s consistent goalscoring from the wing helps sustain a run of seasons in which he finishes among Manchester United’s most prolific players.
1972
First United Departure Announcement
Best announces his intention to leave football amid difficulties in his relationship with Manchester United, although he later returns to the side.
1973
Return Under Tommy Docherty
Best makes a short-lived return to the Manchester United first team after reaching an accommodation with manager Tommy Docherty.
1974
Retirement
In total Best had made 466 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions from 1963 to 1974, and scored 178 goals (including six in one game against fourth division Northampton Town). Bests last competitive igame for Manchester United against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road
Dunstable Town Exhibition Appearance
Best appears for Dunstable Town in a friendly arranged through former Manchester United teammate Barry Fry, attracting unusual attention to the small club.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.