1946 May 22nd
Birth of George Best
Birth of George Best
Football player and manager history
George Best
Explore 61 football history records associated with George Best, arranged by year, month, day and event. Entries may concern different clubs or national teams during the person’s career.
Historical events
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"
1961
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
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.
1963 September 14th
Debut
Best makes his Manchester United debut, aged 17against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in a 1-0 victory
1964
Best Emerges Beside Law
Best's dribbling added a new attacking dimension to a Manchester United side already containing Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.
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.
1964
First Senior United Goal
Best scores his first senior Manchester United goal against Burnley, marking an early breakthrough as an attacking first-team player.
1964
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.
1964
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.
1965
Best First English League Title
Best helped Manchester United win the 1964-65 First Division, creating attacking openings for forwards including Denis Law.
1965
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.
1965
League Title
In his second season, 1964-65, Best and Manchester United claim the league title
1965
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.
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
1966
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.
1966
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
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.
1967
League Title
The 1966-67 season is again successful as Manchester United claim the league title by four points
1967
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.
1968
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.
1968
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
1968
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.
1968
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
1968
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.
1968
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.
1968
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
1968 May 29th
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.
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.
1969
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.
1970
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.
1971
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.
1971
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
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.
1974
Jewish Guild South Africa Appearances
Following his departure from Manchester United, Best plays a short spell for Jewish Guild in South Africa, beginning an itinerant later club career.
1974 January 1st
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
1975
Cork Celtic League Appearances
Best turns out for Cork Celtic in the League of Ireland, bringing an internationally famous name to the club for a brief period.
1975
Stockport County Playing Spell
Best makes three Football League appearances for Stockport County and scores twice during a brief return to English professional football.
1976
First Los Angeles Aztecs Season
Best joins the Los Angeles Aztecs in the North American Soccer League, where his technical ability makes him a prominent attraction.
1976
Fulham Second Division Signing
Best joins Fulham and returns to English league football, playing alongside other experienced international names at Craven Cottage.
1977
Fulham Season Completion
Best concludes his Fulham spell after contributing goals and creative attacking play during the club’s campaign in England’s Second Division.
1977
Return to Los Angeles Aztecs
Best resumes playing for the Los Angeles Aztecs after his Fulham period, continuing his North American Soccer League career.
1978
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Move
Best moves to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, adding another North American Soccer League club to his career in the United States.
1979
Hibernian Scottish League Debut Season
Best signs for Hibernian and begins a Scottish football spell that brings large crowds and sustained media attention to the Edinburgh club.
1980
San Jose Earthquakes Signing
Best joins the San Jose Earthquakes in the North American Soccer League, beginning the last substantial top-flight spell of his playing career.
1981
Solo Goal Against Fort Lauderdale
Best scores a celebrated individual goal for San Jose against Fort Lauderdale, dribbling past multiple opponents before finishing.
1982
Hong Kong Rangers Appearance
Best plays briefly for Hong Kong Rangers as his football career continues through short appointments outside Britain.
1983
Bournemouth Third Division Spell
Best makes a small number of appearances for AFC Bournemouth in the English Third Division during the latter stages of his playing career.
1983
Brisbane Lions Australian Appearances
Best makes four league appearances for Brisbane Lions in Australia’s National Soccer League, extending his playing career to another continent.
1984
Arrest of George Best
Best receives a three-month prison sentence for drunk driving, assaulting a police officer and failing to answer bail, he spent Christmas of 1984 behind bars and turned out as a player for Ford Open Prison
1984
Tobermore United Competitive Appearance
Best makes an appearance for Tobermore United in Northern Irish football, one of his final recorded competitive club outings.
1999
Election
Voted 11th, behind Marco van Basten, at the IFFHS European Player of the Century election and 16th, behind Lothar Mattheus, in the World Player of the Century election
1999
European Player of the Century
Voted 11th, behind Marco van Basten, at the IFFHS European Player of the Century election and 16th, behind Lothar Matth„us, in the World Player of the Century election
1999
World Player of the Century
Voted 11th, behind Marco van Basten, at the IFFHS European Player of the Century election and 16th, behind Lothar Matth„us, in the World Player of the Century election
2005 November 25th
Death of George Best
Death of George Best
2006 May 22nd
Belfast City Airport
Belfast City Airport is renamed George Best Belfast City Airport as a tribute to Best, the official new name and signage is unveiled to a gathering of the Best family and friends at the airport on 22 May 2006 which would have been his 60th birth