Posts in category "football"

Not a brilliant week if you are a United fan...

A few years ago, I was drinking in the Chelsea Potter on the Kings Road and a mate said That's George Best sitting over there. I replied 'Yeah, right'. I looked across to the bar and saw a plump, bearded figure sitting on a barstool, clad in a hideous blue shell-suit, sipping a Coke. I was stupefied. After a while, he finished his drink and left. I was still gawping at him like a lovestruck teenager and I swore he smiled at me on his way out.

Thanks for all the memories, George. RIP.

So, you can now buy the program for last Sunday's Manchester United game against Chelsea in WH Smiths.

I used to go to Old Trafford every fortnight in the late 70s and 80s (Stretford Paddock, Stretford End, United Road). Part of the experience was travelling there, getting to the ground early, securing your position on a barrier, reading the program, the atmosphere building, the smell of pies and bovril, the chanting, the opposition fans, the players warming up, the tension, the goals, the celebrations, the moaning, everything.

Then I moved away from Manchester and was relegated to a barstool correspondent and finally a slave to Sky Sports in my armchair. Still, at least now, I can read the program a full week after the game has finished.

My post about Patrick Gibson reminded me of another Irish genius who, sadly, is currently critically ill in a London hospital.

A bell-boy was summoned to George Bests luxurious hotel room. He stared in amazement at the scene that greeted him. Empty, discarded bottles of champagne everywhere, a scantily clad Mary Stavin (Miss World) lying on the bed surrounded by ten pound notes.

'Tell me, Mr Best, just where did it all go wrong ?'