You’ve probably all heard many stories about George Best, but this could well be one that has not yet come to your attention.
It was October 1971 and Best was very much at the height of his career, known the world over, a Ballon d’Or winner and had already been given the nickname “El Quinto Beatle” (the fifth Beatle) by the Portuguese press, some years earlier.
However, tensions in Ireland were rumbling. Born in Belfast, Best was raised protestant and had links to the Orange Order and, this combined with his global fame, made him a target for the professional IRA (Irish Republican Army).
Tensions Came To A Head
Such was the animosity towards Best from opposition political factions, a death threat was called into a London newspaper from someone claiming to be from the IRA one day before Manchester United’s match at St James’ Park against Newcastle United. The premise was to the point. If Best played, he would be shot. Best defied.
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Both the police and club took the threat extremely seriously, considering the political climate at the time and as a result, police provided arm protection to Best throughout his time in Newcastle and while travelling. Indeed, the player was ordered to lie on the floor of the team coach on his way into the ground and quickly ushered into the stadium.
With a considerable threat against his life, Best insisted that he play the game, showing considerable bravery and dedication to the sport. It was reported that there was a slight nonchalance in Best’s manner, while handling the matter as professionally as he could, eager for it not to put him in the limelight for the wrong reasons.
There was a heightened security presence around St James’ Park that day, adding to a considerably tense atmosphere all round, with many fans on edge. Despite this, the game went ahead with no decision to abandon it, with Best playing the whole 90 minutes of the game.
Finishing 1-0 to the away side, even more incredible was the fact that Best scored the goal even knowing that there could have been a member of the IRA somewhere in the crowd with his sights on him.
Football Was The Clear Winner
Robert Lachman, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Regardless of the fact that the atmosphere was tense and everyone was on edge, the players handled themselves professionally and it is testament to Best’s courage in the face of such adversity that won him many more fans; even sceptics who, until that point had viewed him as more of a ‘playboy’.
The game was as secure as it could be and every procedure in the run up to it had been followed. Best’s hotel room was guarded with armed police, no teammate wanted to stay in his room, he was escorted into the stadium by plain clothed armed police, he was even given the choice whether he wanted to play.
His simple response was: “If I don’t play, when does this end?”
