George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his career at Manchester United. He is universally regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. A highly skilful winger, considered by several pundits to be one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport, Best received plaudits for his playing style, which combined pace, skill, balance, feints, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to get past defenders. He was once quoted as saying, "Pelé called me the greatest footballer in the world. That is the ultimate salute to my life."
Links to Peel[]
George Best not only made an impact on other footballers, but also on some in the music business. These included one of Peel's favourites, the Wedding Present, whose 1987 debut album was named after the player, a photograph of whom graces the cover. Despite his anti-United instincts, the Liverpool-supporting DJ selected the release as his top LP of the year (see 30 December 1987). "I think the very least they can do is to call the next LP 'Kenny Dalglish'," he commented.
In 1992 Peel played tracks by Best which consisted of partial spoken archive material featuring the player, released on the 'Bend It! 92' compilation album. According to available playlists, Peel never played any of Best's singing and exercise-routine efforts, recorded in 1984 with Mary Stavin, a former Miss World from Sweden.
On his programme of 30 July 2002, Peel dedicated a track to George Best to wish him well following a liver transplant operation.
Shows Played[]
- 1992
- 14 November 1992: George Best's Dreamhome (v/a LP - Bend It! 92 - Exotica Presents... Football À La Carte) Exotica
- 20 November 1992: Advertising Grooming Aids (v/a LP - Bend It! 92 - Exotica Presents... Football À La Carte) Exotica
- 22 November 1992 (BFBS): George Best's Dreamhome (v/a LP - Bend It! 92 - Exotica Presents... Football À La Carte) Exotica