When Did George Best Retire?

George Best is a footballing legend. His achievements for Manchester United played a huge part in helping the club back to the top of the English game after the tragedy of the Munich air disaster. For all his amazing moments, there was a controversial element to his life inside and outside of football. This is perhaps best summed up by the chaotic retirement.

WHEN DID GEORGE BEST LEAVE MAN UTD?

Best finally left United during the 1973/1974 season as the club was on the brink of relegation to the Second Division. The highlight of his time at Old Trafford was winning the European Cup in 1968. This ultimately proved to be his last major honour.

Best’s problems started long before his eventual departure from United. It was during the 1970/1971 season when he began to get into trouble due to his discipline. He was fined by the Football Association for receiving three bookings for misconduct and was then suspended by United for two weeks after missing his train to Stamford Bridge to spend a weekend with the actress Sinéad Cusack.

The following season was just as eventful. Highlights on the pitch included hat-tricks against West Ham United and Southampton, as well as a goal against Sheffield United that came after he beat four defenders in a mazy run. He was also sent off against Chelsea, was the subject of death threats, and failed to turn up for training for a whole week in January as he instead spent his time with the 1971 Miss Great Britain.

I used to go missing a lot… Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World. – George Best Quote

With 27 goals in 54 appearances, Best finished as United’s top-scorer for the sixth and final consecutive season. Best then announced his retirement from football. However, he proceeded to turn up for pre-season training ahead of the 1972/1973 season and continued to play.

United’s decline as a club continued in the 1972/73 season, and Best was part of a clique within the club that barely talked to the newer, less talented players. Annoyed by the club’s decline, he went missing in December 1972. As a result, he was then suspended and transfer-listed with a value of £300,000. After United’s manager, Frank O’Farrell, was replaced by Tommy Docherty, Best announced he would retire for a second time but resumed training in April 1973.

Best’s last competitive game for United was on the 1st of January 1974 against Queens Park Rangers. They lost 3-0. Best failed to turn up for training three days later and was dropped by Docherty.

GEORGE BEST AFTER UNITED

George Best’s post-United career took him all over the world. After a short spell with Jewish Guild in South Africa, Best had brief spells with Stockport County and Cork Celtic. He was then off to America to play for the Los Angeles Aztecs, where he scored 15 goals in 24 appearances.

He then returned to England to play for Fulham where he was joined by Bobby Moore and Rodney Marsh. This spell at Craven Cottage did appear to bring out some of the better qualities in Best and he enjoyed a successful first season.

After starting the next season with just 2 goals in 10 appearances, Best was again off to America where he had a second spell with the Aztecs before moving onto the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

BEST JOINS HIBS IN SCOTLAND

Best caused a stir when he returned to the UK to play for Hibernian in Scotland. Even though he failed to save Hibs from relegation, gates increased dramatically, and the attendance quadrupled for his first match at Easter Road. However, his time in Scotland was not without drama and controversy. He was initially sacked by the club after he went out on a massive drinking session with the French rugby team, who were in Edinburgh to play Scotland.

He then returned to the US to play for the San Jose Earthquakes in what was officially described as a loan deal. It was the time when he scored of the NASL’s greatest ever goals.

Back at Hibs, he only managed a handful of appearances in the second tier of Scottish football. It was at this point where his demons off the pitch started to take hold. He was close to signing for Bolton Wanderers but failed to agree to personal terms.

Best’s journey around the world then took him to Hong Kong where he was invited as a guest player and played for Sea Bee and Hong Kong Rangers.

BEST RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL (1984)

During the halfway point of the 1982/1983 season, Best signed for Third Division Side AFC Bournemouth. It was at the end of this season when Best announced his retirement from football.

At the start of 1983/1984 season played in a friendly for Newry Town against Shamrock Rovers. He finally ended his professional career 20 years after joining Man United with a four-match stint for Brisbane Lions in the Australian National Soccer League.

GEORGE BEST TESTIMONIAL GAME (1988)

It was ultimately a sad end to a career that had provided the world with so many amazing goals and performances. On 8 August 1988, a testimonial match was held for Best at Windsor Park. Among the crowd were Sir Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy, and Bob Bishop. The players involved were the likes of Osvaldo Ardiles, Johan Neeskens, Pat Jennings and Liam Brady.

GEORGE BEST & NORTHERN IRELAND

Best was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring 9 times.

One of his most famous moments for his country came in 1971 against England. As Gordon Banks, released the ball in the air in order to kick the ball down the pitch, Best managed to kick the ball first, which sent the ball high over their heads and heading towards the open goal. He then managed to outpace Banks and headed the ball into the empty goal. The goal was disallowed by the referee.

Best is also regarded as one of the greatest players never to have played at a World Cup.  When Northern Ireland qualified for the 1982 World Cup, he was briefly considered by manager Billy Bingham for the 1982 World Cup, but at the age of 35, with his football skills dulled by his age and problems with alcohol, he was ultimately not selected for the Northern Ireland squad.  His last cap came in 1977.

Although Best retired from Professional football in 1984, he did enjoy one last game at his beloved Old Trafford. In 1991, George lined-up for the final time in the famous red shirt. He was part of a Manchester United veterans side which played Manchester City during the half-time break at Sir Matt Busby’s testimonial. Best thrilled the crowd with a repertoire of his skills, including a run down the wing while doing keepie-uppies with the ball.

 

LAST GAME FOR MANCHESTER UNITED – 1st JAN 1974 (vs QPR)

LAST GAME FOR NORTHERN IRELAND – 12th OCT 1977 (vs NETHERLANDS)

LAST PROFESSIONAL GAME – 1984 (BRISBANE LIONS)

LAST GAME AT OLD TRAFFORD – 11th AUG 1991 (vs MAN CITY) *

*Sir Matt Busby Testimonial Match (Veterans)

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