The drive from Belfast City Centre to Stormont is an enriching experience — the marvellous Irish country side is a sight to behold. Besides, a semi-rusty billboard attracts as much attention - 'Maradona good, Pele better, George Best' and it also manifests the love Ireland holds for its most beloved son.
Best was the binding force — is even after his death — in a country that is torn by political and religious differences, because, he is their only icon. "Mate, Best is more popular here than the Queen and the Prime Minister! He is from Northern Ireland. I am from the South and Best is the most revered figure there as well. We have only one George Best and we are one for him," Peter McCullan, 26, a taxi driver says with pride.
He is from a new generation that has only heard about Best and his exploits for Northern Ireland and Manchester United. A different generation is there too, which grew up alongside Best.
"Best was the best loved guy in our youth. Once we travelled all the way to Old Trafford to watch him play in a Premier League match against, I think, Liverpool. He was terrific in that game, though he did not score a goal. We adored United because Best played for them. I am proud to say that I have lived in his era," Martin Helmer, 61, a retired sales professional, said.
Best, indeed, had inspired a generation with his pop-star like life and movie-star like looks. But then, he was born to play football, and he played it with unbridled enthusiasm. "From the early years, it was all about football for him. He was so passionate about it, of course talented as well," Best's father Dickie remarked.
One of the Manchester United scouts had spotted Best playing for a local club in Belfast in 1961 and he promptly sent a telegram to legendary manager Matt Busby, 'Matt, I have found a genius for you!' In no time, Best had also became a member of the 'Busby Babes' along with Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law.
That little-known scout was not wrong in his prediction as the subsequent events proved. Best scored 115 goals for United in six wonderful seasons. That catapulted him to stardom and his image of a town boy-turned-into-super hero made the 60s youth, craving for such vivid characters, worship him.
But for a simple youth from a suburb in Belfast, the attention was overwhelming, and the pleasures of life - alcohol in particular - conquered him. Best's feet gradually lost their magic, but not his popularity - even when his career with United ended only at 26. But by then, Best had won several honours including the European Footballer of the Year award. Though he had made appearances for a few other English clubs later, none were as successful as his stint with United.
Moreover, his health began to take a beating as he became addicted to alcohol, and despite days in a de-addiction centre and countless hours of praying, Best could not completely get rid of the evil.
In 2005, Best passed away after a brief illness, and according to his last wish, he was laid to rest next to his mother Annie's grave in Stormont. He was just 59. Fame, wealth, and death, happened a lot quicker than they should have for Best.
But Best's relatives and fans ensured that his legacy would not end with those thousands of anecdotes. They formed the George Best Foundation, which is based in East Belfast, Best's native, to help those suffering from liver ailments and promote an alcohol-free life among youths.
They keep the memories of 'El Beatle' alive with the kind of work that Best hoped to do before that merciless referee called fate had blown the final whistle.