February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The British government agreed to allow the building to be used after, it said, it received a request from the Best family whose home is about three miles away in the Cregagh estate.
Showbiz and football personalities as well as thousands of fans are expected to turn up for the occasion — which will be nearest thing to a state funeral Northern Ireland has ever seen.
The news of Best’s death, at the age of 59, has dominated all newspapers and broadcast news bulletins since it was announced in London last Friday. He died after complications arising from his chronic alcoholism.
Three years ago he had been given a liver transplant and fought to stay off alcohol. He tried moving back to live in Northern Ireland but nothing seemed to be able to prevent him returning to drink.
Leading off the tributes were the DUP leader, Ian Paisley of the DUP and the UUP leader, Sir Reg Empey.
Paisley said it was with “great grief” that people learned of Best’s death. “He was unique in his football skills, a real magician on the football field bringing delight to the multitudes of his fans.
“As a footballer he will probably never be surpassed”, said Paisley. “To his father and family our deepest sympathy and the assurance of our prayers are offered. May they experience the healing of the comfort of Almighty God.”
The DUP deputy leader and East Belfast MP, Peter Robinson, reminded people that he and Best had both been freeman of the Borough of Castlereagh.
“George Best never forgot his East Belfast roots having grown up in the Cregagh estate. He was a wonderful ambassador for, and provided much inspiration to, the people of the city and throughout Northern Ireland,” said Robinson.
“His contribution to football at both club and international level is unrivalled and it is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of one of Ulster’s greatest sons.”
The former minister for sport, Michael McGimpsey of the UUP, said the Best family could “take hope and find refuge in the depth of support George received from ordinary men and women from every corner of the globe.
“George Best, will be remembered forever for his courage, his determination and dazzling football skills. He gave people a reason to be proud of Northern Ireland,” he said.
“George is a positive part of our past that we can look to when shaping our uncertain future. He symbolized the potential that this great Province has yet to fulfill.”
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, a Manchester United fan (the club for whom George Best played) said his “great talent as a footballer is one of the main reasons why I, like so many others, support Manchester United.
“While he was undoubtedly a flawed genius I hope he will be remembered as one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen”, said Durkan. “For an insight into his character, we need only look to the deep affection in which he was held by the medical support team.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to George Best today is to remember the joy he brought to millions of people across the world through his skills. He may be gone but for many, many people he will never be forgotten.”
The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, said Best was “an iconic figure who never forgot his roots. There will always be a place for him in the hearts of everyone in Northern Ireland.
“He was a larger than life character who was Northern Ireland’s most famous sporting son and will be sadly missed,” Hain added.
The taoiseach, another Manchester United fan, said Best had been one of his sporting heroes. “In the days ahead people will struggle with words to try to describe his talent. He was quite simply a football genius.
“He made his debut for Manchester United in 1963 at 17 years of age, and under the stewardship of the legendary Matt Busby he helped the Old Trafford club to unprecedented success,” Ahern said.
“As a teenager, I remember being enthralled by George’s sensational performance in the 1968 European Cup final which propelled United to a famous victory.
“He was a man of unmatched football skills and great personal charisma. He fought a long difficult battle with alcoholism and I am sorry to hear today that he has finally succumbed to illness,” the taoiseach said.
Sinn F