Football star's gear to be Best in show

Published on Saturday 5 July 2008 19:54

AN ARRAY of hitherto unseen George Best memorabilia is going on display, including an exuberant letter he wrote to his parents after playing his first Manchester United game at the age of 17.

The exhibition in Ballymena in Northern Ireland will also feature his football boots, his Mini Cooper car, the caps he won for Northern Ireland and the Benfica top he wore after swapping shirts when United won the European Cup in 1968.

The display is being organised by the George Best Foundation, which raises money for research into liver disease and alcoholism as well as supporting football development among the young.

In the letter to his mother and father, Best said of the 1963 Old Trafford clash with West Bromwich Albion: "It was a fabulous experience coming out of the tunnel."

But he told how his first taste of the big time was not all sweetness and light, adding: "The left back was a madman – he almost broke my flippin' ankle!"

The flag that covered Best's coffin when it was flown home from Manchester in 2005 will also be on display.

Best's sister Barbara McNarry said the exhibition was poignant for his family.

She added: "To see all this together in one place is quite special. We want to share his life with fans."

Best is commonly regarded as the first major celebrity football star, with a fast and furious lifestyle to match his pace on the field.

In 1968, he won the European Cup with Manchester United, and was named the European Footballer of the Year. He also won 37 caps for Northern Ireland and scored nine goals.

His extravagant lifestyle led to problems with alcoholism which affected his playing career and eventually led to his death in November 2005 at the age of 59.

He famously quipped: "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars – the rest I squandered."

Indie rock band the Wedding Present named their first album after him. Best is featured on the cover wearing his red Manchester United strip.