GEORGE BEST put in many magical performances in a Manchester United shirt.
After all, he famously exploded onto the world scene as a 19-year-old, scoring twice against Benfica in a European Cup quarter-final at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon – outshining the legendary local favourite, Eusebio.
George Best scored six times as Manchester United beat Northampton 8-2Credit: Getty Images
George Best celebrates after scoring the first of his six goals against NorthamptonCredit: Getty Images
But on February 7, 1970, the Northern Ireland hero achieved a remarkable feat in the British game that’s celebrating its 50-year anniversary.
Incredibly, he netted SIX times, the first player to ever do so, in an 8-2 rout of Northampton in the FA Cup that earned ‘El Beatle’ the plaudits once again.
UNPLAYABLE
Ray Fairfax, a Northampton full-back on that fateful day admits the 1968 Ballon d’Or winner was unplayable on that occasion.
He told The Telegraph: “I think the closest I got to him was when we shook hands after the final whistle.
“When you ship eight goals and the man you were marking scores six you do think you could have done better. Your professional pride is dented.
“But the fact is, if I’d marked him out the game and we’d drawn 0-0, you wouldn’t be wanting to talk to me about it 46 years later.
“Actually I played a part in history. Even if it was a very small part.”
George Best won the Ballon d’Or award and European Cup in 1968Credit: Hulton Archive
George Best was the first player to score six times in a matchCredit: Hulton Archive
George Best nets his third goal for Man United in 8-2 demolition of NorthamptonCredit: Hulton Archive
BANNED FOR A MONTH
Best could’ve been excused for being ring-rusty that day.
He had just returned from a four-week ban imposed on him by the FA after punching the ball out of the referee’s hands during a game.
However, he was determined to make up for lost time against The Cobblers and became the first player to score a double hat-trick in a single match.
His six-goal performance even earned him an invitation to No 10 Downing Street from UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who had also regularly written fan letters to him
Just a season later, though, he was outshone by Bournemouth’s Ted MacDougall, who scored nine times against Margate in an 11-0 FA Cup first round win.
Notable George Best achievements
FA Youth Cup — 1964
First Division title — 1964-65, 66-67
European Cup — 1968
Ballon d’Or — 1968
Football League Top scorer — 1967-68
FWA Footballer of the Year — 1967-68
FOOTBALL’S GREATEST PLAYBOY
Blessed with good looks, a penchant for style off the pitch and with a female fanbase deeper than Justin Bieber, Best was recognised as one of football’s greatest playboys.
By the age of 22, he’d already won two league titles, a European Cup, a Ballon d’Or, was named FWA Footballer of the Year, and crowned First Division top scorer.
An unbelievable haul for such a young man.
An extravagant lifestyle led to various problems, including a battle with alcoholism, which he suffered with till his passing in 2005.
Famously, he once said of his career, “I spent a lot of money on booze, birds [women] and fast cars – the rest I just squandered.”
But he knew his place on the football pitch. Speaking after the Northampton thrashing, he was adamant that he wanted to make the fans smile.
“I don’t really class myself as a footballer,” he said.
Famously, Best helped Man Utd WIN the 1968 European CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
Off the pitch Best was known for his extravagant lifestyleCredit: Mirrorpix
Best was the first pin-up and playboy of footballCredit: Getty – Contributor
“I call myself an entertainer. I know a lot of people have paid to see me do something spectacular and that’s what I was trying to do on Saturday.
“It’s my job to do something that will send people away feeling that they’d like to see me play again.”
And 50 years later, we’re still talking about it.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
