George Best will always be linked most closely with Manchester United, but his playing career stretched far beyond Old Trafford.
After becoming one of the biggest stars in British football, the Belfast-born winger appeared for clubs in England, South Africa, Ireland, the United States, Scotland, Hong Kong and Australia.
The timeline graphic below shows every club linked with Best’s senior career, from his Manchester United debut in 1963 to his final playing appearances during the 1980s.
George Best at Manchester United
Best joined Manchester United as a teenager after being spotted in Belfast by club scout Bob Bishop.
He made his first-team debut against West Bromwich Albion in September 1963, aged just 17. It did not take long for supporters to see why United believed they had found a very special player.
Best had pace, balance, skill and the confidence to take on defenders. He could create chances, score goals and entertain a crowd in a way that few players of his time could match.
His finest year came in 1968. Best helped Manchester United beat Benfica in the European Cup final at Wembley and was later named European Footballer of the Year.
He spent more than a decade at United, winning two league titles and the European Cup. However, problems away from football began to affect his career, and he played his final competitive match for the club on New Year’s Day 1974.
Jewish Guild and Dunstable Town
Best’s first year away from Manchester United showed how unusual the rest of his career would become.
In 1974, he joined Jewish Guild in South Africa. His stay was short, but his name attracted large crowds and major interest wherever he played.
Later that year, he appeared for non-league Dunstable Town. Manager Barry Fry knew that signing Best would bring attention and extra supporters through the gates.
Best played in friendly matches for Dunstable, including a game against a Manchester United side. It was a huge event for a small club that would never normally have attracted such coverage.
Stockport County and Cork Celtic
In 1975, Best returned to competitive football in England with Stockport County.
He played only three league matches for the club, but scored twice. As with many of his later moves, his arrival created far more interest than the level of football would usually receive.
Best then crossed the Irish Sea to join Cork Celtic. His stay in Ireland lasted only a few appearances, and he was unable to score during his short spell.
Los Angeles Aztecs and Fulham
Best’s move to the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1976 gave his career fresh life.
Football in the United States was attracting major names, and Best became one of the stars of the North American Soccer League. He scored regularly and showed that much of his old skill was still there.
Between his two spells in Los Angeles, Best returned to English football with Fulham.
He joined a side that also featured Bobby Moore and Rodney Marsh, turning Fulham into one of the most talked-about teams outside the First Division.
Best scored shortly after the start of his Fulham debut and became a major attraction at Craven Cottage.
One famous moment saw Best tackle his own teammate Marsh during a match, a sign of the fun and showmanship surrounding the team.
Fort Lauderdale and Hibernian
After leaving the Los Angeles Aztecs, Best stayed in the United States and joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
He continued to produce flashes of brilliance, although his fitness and life away from the pitch made it harder for him to perform at his best every week.
In 1979, he returned to Britain to sign for Hibernian.
Hibs were struggling at the time, but Best’s arrival caused a huge rise in attendances. Supporters wanted to see one of football’s most famous names, even though he was no longer the player who had ruled matches at Old Trafford.
He could not save Hibernian from relegation, but his short stay remains one of the most memorable periods in the club’s history.
San Jose, Hong Kong and Bournemouth
Best returned to American football with the San Jose Earthquakes, where he played from 1980 to 1981.
One of his most famous later goals came during this period when he beat several defenders before scoring. It was a reminder that even near the end of his career, Best could still produce moments few other players could manage.
He later appeared in Hong Kong for Sea Bee and Hong Kong Rangers before returning to England with AFC Bournemouth.
Best played five league matches for Bournemouth during the 1982-83 season. By then, his professional career was nearing its end.
Brisbane Lions and His Final Appearances
Best played for Brisbane Lions in Australia in 1983, making four appearances.
He also took part in several guest matches for smaller clubs during his later years. These appearances are one reason different sources give different answers when asked how many clubs George Best played for.
Some lists count only competitive league clubs, while others include friendlies, guest appearances and short overseas stays.
How Many Clubs Did George Best Play For?
There is no simple answer because Best played for some teams on standard contracts and others only as a guest.
What is clear is that Manchester United was only one part of a much longer playing career.
After leaving Old Trafford, Best became a travelling football attraction. Clubs knew that his name could sell tickets, attract press coverage and bring supporters who might otherwise have stayed at home.
His later years never matched the success of his Manchester United peak, but they added another unusual chapter to the life of one of football’s greatest entertainers.
