One of the flashiest footballers ever to grace the game, George Best, redefined the game both on and off the field. In tribute to his style and genius, World Soccer Shop is making available for the first time in the United States a range of officially licensed George Best gear.
Hitting the Streets caught up with WSS during the photo shoot for the new line of George Best t-shirts to give readers a sneak peek at what is to come.
Shop for the George Best Lifestyle Collection available at WorldSoccerShop.com
“We have been working on finalizing the details of the George Best line for over a year,” World Soccer Shop’s General Manager, Jeff Stephens said on location. “World Soccer Shop customers have been asking for a line that highlights the player and the personality of George Best and we feel this is the start of something special.”
The scout who first discovered Best sent a telegram to Manchester United’s manager Matt Busby saying ‘I think I’ve found you a genius’ and he was correct in that prediction. Best made 361 appearances and scored 137 goals for the Red Devils before retiring at the youthful age of 27. He is considered the greatest player in Northern Ireland history although he never qualified for a major international.
Pele once called Best the ‘greatest player in the world’ with the honor not lost on Best who replied, “That is the ultimate salute to my life.” And he is immortalized in the United Trinity statue alongside of Denis Law and Bobby Charlton outside of Old Trafford.
Best’s form off the field was equally impressive. He is considered one of the first soccer celebrities (step aside Becks) carrying the nickname ‘El Beatle’ at the height of Beatlemania in 1966. GQ Magazine listed Best as one of the most stylish men of the past 50 years in 2007.
The winger is still remembered for some of his great lines.
“I spent a lot of money on booze, birds [women] and fast cars – the rest I just squandered”.
“I used to go missing a lot…Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World.”
“In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol – it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.”
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“I’ve stopped drinking, but only while I’m asleep.”
“That thing about being an icon, the fifth Beatle, I just found it so freaky.”
“If you’d given me the choice of going out and beating four men and smashing a goal in from 30 yards against Liverpool or going to bed with Miss World, it would have been a difficult choice. Luckily, I had both.”
This line of officially licensed George Best graphic t-shirts will be released at World Soccer Shop over the coming weeks. Wear the look of an icon.
“Unbelievable, Unplayable, Uncatchable”
