The Early Days

George Best was born in East Belfast on 22nd May 1946. Even from a young age his parents, Dickie and Anne, recognised George's love for football. His mother, reflecting on her son's early life, passed the comment "with George it was always the ball!"

He played for the local boys club in Cregagh. Even though his frame was small it didn't get in the way of displaying his enormous talent. What did temporarily get in the way was George's education. At 11 years of age he won a scholarship to the local grammar school Grosvenor High where, unfortunately for George, rugby was the only sport on the curriculum. George was lost without his beloved football and began to skip school. Inevitably he was caught out, with the result that both his parents and the school decided that George would be better off going to Lisnasharragh Secondary. Back with his old friends from primary school and a ball once again at his feet George settled into his new school straight away.

As a young teenager George's exceptional talent came to the notice of Glentoran - the local football team in East Belfast. But concerned about his small frame they passed him by. Bob Bishop, the Manchester United Scout in Belfast, did not. On seeing George play he knew he had discovered something special and immediately sent a telegram to Manchester United's manager Matt Busby. The telegram simply read

"I've found you a genius".

George was subsequently given a trial and signed up by chief scout Joe Armstrong in 1961.