George Best

[jennyjoan]

With what happened to Stephen Lawrence and Geordie there is no comparison to the different deaths.

I still wonder why in George Best's name - there is an Airport, Hotel, Books, Movie about him.

I mean what did he do. ok he was a good footballer - that's it.

Did he go round the Homeless, Charity work etc.

He was only know for wine women and song and fast cars - so why was he glorified - beats me.

I know so many kind people about me who deserve so many accolades but don't get them.

[Souldarkness]

There are plenty of people who deserve to be remembered, I class George Best similarly to Paul Gascoigne. Great talents but wasting their opportunities. As for Stephen Lawrence I think the anniversary of his death should be a National Unity and anti discrimination day rather than specific to him.

[jennyjoan]

good point soul

[andy-hughes]

By the same token, Stephen Lawrence's name is remembered so many years later, not for the tragedy of his murder, but for the fight his parents and supporters have made for justice for him.

Stephen belongs to the tragic world of news, George belongs to the world of entertainment - that sums up the difference between them.

[Garaman]

Some 250 million people play football, and several billion watch it. To become one of the best there has ever been is an amazing achievement. Anyone who thinks it isn't must have achieved something spectacular in their lifetime.

[Souldarkness]

No matter how gifted a footballer or other spokesperson may be they are in my opinion only highly paid entertainers. Their value is commercial and are treated as valuable commodities bought and sold.

[rowanwitch]

George Best was a flawed individual, even after a liver transplant he kept on drinking. At least by going private he didn't jump the queue. Organs are only offered to the private sector if there is no appropriate patient on the nhs list or on the European priority list.

[hereIam]

It's always the way though jj - if you are able to kick a ball around a field for 60 or so minutes, you are paid a king's ransom and are a national hero - baffles me !!

[emmie]

i quite agree

[Garaman]

You are not paid a king's ransom as a footballer unless you become one of the very best, like in most fields really. Some can hammer out a tune, and others are brilliant instrumentalists. Some can paint and nobody would pay for their work, others are brilliant painters whose works are worth fortunes. Some might not like that, but it is the way of the world and pretty much always has been. And of course some people who have never achieved anything will moan about that state of affairs, as they pretty much always have.

[hereIam]

Thanks em.

[Mamyalynne]

Not everyone was happy with the renaming of Belfast City Airport at the time JJ, as I'm sure you'll recall.

[jennyjoan]

now we are getting a George Best hotel in Belfast - think I know where it is - but I try and avoid the city centre like the plague. Where I live I have all the top malls about 10 minutes walk. Of course that's neither here nor there.

[Mamyalynne]

Hotel is Donegal Square I think and running behind time .

http://www.irishnews.com/business/2018/01/30/news/opening-of-new-george-best-hotel-delayed-1244795/

[jennyjoan]

I worked there in a wee tiny office with a very old man - I was 15 and a half and was so unhappy. Looking at the building brings terrible memories. I did get into the Civil Service when I was 16 and that was a godsend.

Mamy - we have loads of hotels etc - we do not need another one.

[ummmm]

Most kids in Georges heyday who were interested in football weren't watching the news or reading newspapers. The were out playing. I didn't know his demons until I was an adult.

No doubt though, he was much loved.

[ichkeria]

George Best might ‘only’ gave been a footballer and not perfect at that, but no one claims he is.
He’s a famous namethat most people in N Ireland revere. For that reason he gets hotels, airports named after him. We don’t have many great names to remember. People who do great works tend to have streets or foundations named after them

[jennyjoan]

My cousin who was a fabulous footballer played with him in the football team. Also a hunk as in looks (still is)

[jennyjoan]

Inch I liked him but I wouldn't revere him

[ichkeria]

If Coleraine do the double they’ll be naming every hotel in the town after the team. And the airport too if we had one (!!!)