Page 2 of 4
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 16:43
by Boxingmad
The Hawk wrote:Boxingmad wrote:Point taken. It was in poor taste. And I can imagine that in Northern Ireland he is a hero, as in Manchester as well. Dying in the fashion he is is not pleasant at all.
I certainly have no experience of alcholism, so I am certainly in no position to speak.
I am not as bad as Boxingchat though. He riles everyone with every post he makes!! I think this is the first time I've posted some silliness.
Thats fair enough, I felt it was out of place and had to express that.
Best was born and raised in East Belfast, 2 miles from my house. The people of that area and indeed Northern Ireland are very proud of his footballing success and there is even a very good painted mural on the full side of a house dedicated to George Best.
I'm not a football fan, but to have had George Best come from a small place like Northern Ireland to be one of the best footballers that ever lived is something we are all proud of.
His personal downfall aside, it's a sorry time to see what it's came too.
I'm feeling pretty terrible now, if you must know.
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 17:07
by The Hawk
Boxingmad wrote:The Hawk wrote:Boxingmad wrote:Point taken. It was in poor taste. And I can imagine that in Northern Ireland he is a hero, as in Manchester as well. Dying in the fashion he is is not pleasant at all.
I certainly have no experience of alcholism, so I am certainly in no position to speak.
I am not as bad as Boxingchat though. He riles everyone with every post he makes!! I think this is the first time I've posted some silliness.
Thats fair enough, I felt it was out of place and had to express that.
Best was born and raised in East Belfast, 2 miles from my house. The people of that area and indeed Northern Ireland are very proud of his footballing success and there is even a very good painted mural on the full side of a house dedicated to George Best.
I'm not a football fan, but to have had George Best come from a small place like Northern Ireland to be one of the best footballers that ever lived is something we are all proud of.
His personal downfall aside, it's a sorry time to see what it's came too.
I'm feeling pretty terrible now, if you must know.
We can all do things now and then and don't really think about it until its done. I think when things like this arise, some things are best unsaid.
I've seen plenty of people on forums who dig a bigger hole for themselves and don't know when they are wrong. At least you seen that

Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 17:08
by Old bones Ian
Boxingmad wrote:Point taken. It was in poor taste. And I can imagine that in Northern Ireland he is a hero, as in Manchester as well. Dying in the fashion he is is not pleasant at all.
I certainly have no experience of alcholism, so I am certainly in no position to speak.
I am not as bad as Boxingchat though. He riles everyone with every post he makes!! I think this is the first time I've posted some silliness. So Silkov, calm down please. I aint a bad bloke. Just occasionally prone to not thinking before speaking.
Perhaps we should stick to the boxing. At least we all know what we're talking about there.
No worries mate, i've done the same thing before myself.
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 18:00
by silkov
Boxingmad wrote:The Hawk wrote:Boxingmad wrote:Point taken. It was in poor taste. And I can imagine that in Northern Ireland he is a hero, as in Manchester as well. Dying in the fashion he is is not pleasant at all.
I certainly have no experience of alcholism, so I am certainly in no position to speak.
I am not as bad as Boxingchat though. He riles everyone with every post he makes!! I think this is the first time I've posted some silliness.
Thats fair enough, I felt it was out of place and had to express that.
Best was born and raised in East Belfast, 2 miles from my house. The people of that area and indeed Northern Ireland are very proud of his footballing success and there is even a very good painted mural on the full side of a house dedicated to George Best.
I'm not a football fan, but to have had George Best come from a small place like Northern Ireland to be one of the best footballers that ever lived is something we are all proud of.
His personal downfall aside, it's a sorry time to see what it's came too.
I'm feeling pretty terrible now, if you must know.
Well you've apologised, that takes some character, so don't beat yourself up too much, we're all human...
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 18:12
by KO Artist
Boxingmad wrote:Are you blind or something? I've just retracted what I've said, so just leave it eh? I'm sorry for upsetting a few folk, so calm down please.
Dont worry about it. You didnt kill him, he did that himself, probably not out of choice.
Alcoholism is a mental illness and Best, seems to have a severe form of it.
Dont worry, you didnt even know the man.
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 20:02
by Rich
I do have experience of alcoholism in that my father suffered very much the same fate as George is experiencing. Its not pretty and when it gets to the stage he is at now, believe me, they regret everything they have done!
Its just unfortunate that along the way they leave a trail of destruction, but I like to remember all of the good things about my dad, without ever quite forgetting the bad.
Its been said, that alcoholism becomes very much a mental illness and though I certainly cant condone what he has done, I can sympathise through experience as its a very long, sad and painful way to end the life of a gifted person. For his sake, I hope it ends painlessly and soon.
Rich
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 20:23
by Boxingmad
Well, like I said earlier, my comments were not needed, so I apologise. Hopefully after GB passes, we will remember his skills as a footballer and how he mesmerised crowds at Old Trafford & elsewhere.
Was looking at a thread on Eubank's bankruptcy, and how famous figures who are used to the adulation and the buzz, adrenalin etc are unable to cope once their time has passed. But for GB to go out like that is particularly sad.
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 21:24
by Phenomenal-Nutrition
Boxingmad that was a pretty funny joke mate, people on here are too uptight, yes its sad and all but the jokes not really disrespectful.
All the alcoholism talk makes me wonder though - I feel a thirst for alcohol I need to drink every night - about 8-10 beers. My sides ache when I wake in the morning - am I an alco? I dont need to drink during the day. And I purpusely cut out alcohol for a month (which is hard) when I went to see my gf whos away from me at the moment.
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 21:34
by E
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Boxingmad that was a pretty funny joke mate, people on here are too uptight, yes its sad and all but the jokes not really disrespectful.
I thought it was a decent joke too... yes Best is dying and it is sad for his family. But while he only lived 60 years, he experienced some amazing times (sporting glory, recognition, loads of birds, money.)
There are millions of people around the world with fornicate all, who have terrible lives, who suffer terrible fates.... and frankly they would all swap places with Best (not now of course, but for the whole life!)
And besides in some ways the best way to deal with death is with black humour, and that is what boxingmad's joke was. It is not spiteful, just a little dark. A few months after he has died, everyone would probably find it really funny.....
Posted: 24 Nov 2005, 23:04
by lvlarc
Yeh I was going to post earlier, haven't you guys heard of laugh in the face of death, but thought I'd get an ear bashing.

Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 02:19
by TheRiverCityHippy
it was tough for best, kinda like the beatles he broke new ground in terms of celebrity status and unlike modern footballers he didnt chase the limelight, it sort of followed him. in the 60`s he wouldnt phone up the press and tell them he`s going to such and such a fancy bistro just so he`d get his photo in the next days papers.
and dont forget boozing was commonplace in football years ago, its only very recently that the drink culture has receded within football clubs.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 03:20
by dondada
All the papers have done the nearest thing to obituaries...typical of Best to mess things up for them by surviving the night.
Looks very doubtful but it would be brilliant if he made some sort of miraculous recovery...
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 03:55
by KO Artist
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Boxingmad that was a pretty funny joke mate, people on here are too uptight, yes its sad and all but the jokes not really disrespectful.
All the alcoholism talk makes me wonder though - I feel a thirst for alcohol I need to drink every night - about 8-10 beers. My sides ache when I wake in the morning - am I an alco? I dont need to drink during the day. And I purpusely cut out alcohol for a month (which is hard) when I went to see my gf whos away from me at the moment.
Dont know if you are an alcoholic but 10 pints a night every night cant be good for anyone.
Your sides aching might be your kidneys asking you to slow down
Mind you they are your kidneys, so you can do what you like to them
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 04:28
by The Hawk
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Boxingmad that was a pretty funny joke mate, people on here are too uptight, yes its sad and all but the jokes not really disrespectful.
Its nothing to do with being too "Uptight", its down to decent dignity as I said before. Anyone who knows me will say I'm nowhere near uptight and I found the time of it well out of place, other side of the coin I am far away from being uptight. But I do have the sense to know when something is below the belt at a certain time and I like a laugh with the best of them.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 04:40
by jomothepure
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:All the papers have done the nearest thing to obituaries...typical of Best to mess things up for them by surviving the night.
Looks very doubtful but it would be brilliant if he made some sort of miraculous recovery...
Did wonder that, although from the way it sounds it is just a matter of time, time taking his body to shut down and stuff.
The guy was a legend. 'Nuff said.
Talking of miraculous recoveries and keeping the obituries hanging, what about Alex Higgins? I think the papers have had his obituary written for about 20 years. The guy looks awful but still keeps on going.
I'm sorry I wasn't around to see either in their prime.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 05:10
by Slapsie Maxie
The point of my posting this thread, despite KA's accusation of a lack of sympathy which I just don't get, was that While he brought a lot of it on himself, seeing Best ( and other's like him who redefine the field they're in ) in his pomp can trancend what happens in their personal lives
Tyson is another example. A very challenged individual who, when it's his turn to go, will have grown men weeping at thoughts of what he did in the 80's
So, Best is an alcoholic and that is tragic both for him and those around him. But, he could also do things with a ball that changed the game forever. In the bigger scheme of things, not of world shattering importance. But, for a middle aged man who grew up watching him and that generation of stars, a formative experience.
Slapsie
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 05:59
by jamesmcdonnell
jomothepure wrote:Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:All the papers have done the nearest thing to obituaries...typical of Best to mess things up for them by surviving the night.
Looks very doubtful but it would be brilliant if he made some sort of miraculous recovery...
Did wonder that, although from the way it sounds it is just a matter of time, time taking his body to shut down and stuff.
The guy was a legend. 'Nuff said.
Talking of miraculous recoveries and keeping the obituries hanging, what about Alex Higgins? I think the papers have had his obituary written for about 20 years. The guy looks awful but still keeps on going.
I'm sorry I wasn't around to see either in their prime.
Yes, Higgins throat cancer went into remission, and he seems to have beaten it, at least for now. Still drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney apparently. Higgins apparently never recovered from the death of his mother, and that's what started him on a life of getting utterly destroyed. He was my hero when I was a kid, utter bastard in real life of course, but he was the Nureyev of the green beize...without the tights.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 06:03
by MightyWarrior
I'm told Higgins regularily plays pool for a pint in Sheperd's Bush most nights, not sure which pub though.
No need to feel sorry for old George, what a life the guy's had: all the cash and adulation he could handle, plus 5 or 6 miss worlds. Not bad by most people's standards, and f****ing excellent by everyone elses'
He was always first to crack a joke about his lifestyle.
Like his recent quote - I gave up drinking and women in 1976. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life!
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 06:09
by Slapsie Maxie
.[/quote]
but he was the Nureyev of the green beize...without the tights.[/quote]
Shame on you JMcD
I was at the Crucible for some of the games when he won the championship in 1982 and sat glued watching the semi against Jimmy White ( I think ) on TV
Snooker used to be really fun in the days of Reardon, Griffiths, Webuinek(sp?) Meo etc. Seems dull as ditch now. But, perhaps that's just an age thing
Slapsie
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 06:13
by jamesmcdonnell
MightyWarrior wrote:I'm told Higgins regularily plays pool for a pint in Sheperd's Bush most nights, not sure which pub though.
No need to feel sorry for old George, what a life the guy's had: all the cash and adulation he could handle, plus 5 or 6 miss worlds. Not bad by most people's standards, and f****ing excellent by everyone elses'
He was always first to crack a joke about his lifestyle.
Like his recent quote - I gave up drinking and women in 1976. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life!
Shepherd's bush! I wonder where.....I'd like to have a game with him.
Higgins (along with White and O'Sullivan) was the most natural talent snooker ever saw, considering he was out getting fucked up all the time, the fact he won the world title twice, once against Steve Davis in his prime is an incredible achievement.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 06:32
by Boxingmad
I can't believe Best's still alive.
Maybe I'm just bitter because he's had so many fit birds & I haven't. Lucky bugger.
I hope that while he's been lying there in hospital, he's looked back over his life - pure football talent, champagne lifestyle, more fit chicks than I've had hot dinners etc, and just given himself a little chuckle on what an adventure he's had. It's not been boring, that's for sure.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 06:55
by cantona7
here's an article that gives just a glimpse on what a genius with the ball the man was:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/ ... 11,00.html
he may have been a flawed genius who brought on many of his problems himself bought for any football fan in northern ireland he'll always be a hero to us.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 07:37
by Slapsie Maxie
Not just Northern Ireland, mate. Although I readily acknowledge how he is regarded there.
I often wonder what people like Charlton, Moore,Law etc would be worth in this day and age. But Best .......... I am not sure they print enough of the stuff
Slapsie
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 07:47
by BunglesFingers
jamesmcdonnell wrote:jomothepure wrote:Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:All the papers have done the nearest thing to obituaries...typical of Best to mess things up for them by surviving the night.
Looks very doubtful but it would be brilliant if he made some sort of miraculous recovery...
Did wonder that, although from the way it sounds it is just a matter of time, time taking his body to shut down and stuff.
The guy was a legend. 'Nuff said.
Talking of miraculous recoveries and keeping the obituries hanging, what about Alex Higgins? I think the papers have had his obituary written for about 20 years. The guy looks awful but still keeps on going.
I'm sorry I wasn't around to see either in their prime.
Yes, Higgins throat cancer went into remission, and he seems to have beaten it, at least for now. Still drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney apparently. Higgins apparently never recovered from the death of his mother, and that's what started him on a life of getting utterly destroyed. He was my hero when I was a kid, utter bastard in real life of course, but he was the Nureyev of the green beize...without the tights.
Apparantly Best also had terrible regrets about the death of his mother.
He reportedly didn't invite her of his father to his wedding in Las Vegas and then rarely visited or spoke to her while she was killing herself with booze in the following years.
Posted: 25 Nov 2005, 08:04
by silkov
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Boxingmad that was a pretty funny joke mate, people on here are too uptight, yes its sad and all but the jokes not really disrespectful.
All the alcoholism talk makes me wonder though - I feel a thirst for alcohol I need to drink every night - about 8-10 beers. My sides ache when I wake in the morning - am I an alco? I dont need to drink during the day. And I purpusely cut out alcohol for a month (which is hard) when I went to see my gf whos away from me at the moment.
I'd say you've got a problem. And I'm not saying this as a fingerwaving high on my horse Mary Whitehouse, but if you are drinking that much every night and also feeling a emotional or mental thirst for alcohol then you are in the first stages of dependancy. The point where mere 'heavy drinking' stops and alcoholism starts is not definate as many alcoholics differ in their symptoms. There are alcoholics who hold down high powered jobs during the day and don't touch a drop till they get home and drink themselves senseless everynight. Many alcoholics can also go weeks or even months without drinking... but find every time they go back it is harder to stop next time. The fact that you have pains in your sides is worrying as its probably your kidneys telling you that theyre taking a beating... if this is happening then your liver is being damages as well but you often don't get any warning signs from the liver till chronic cirrossis sets in and often not even then.
I'd definately sit down and think about why you need to drink so much and perhaps seek some advise from your GP. Just by your physical symptoms alone I'd say you need to stop drinking.