From “Fifth Beatle” to Soccer’s Sorry Figure

Cork, Ireland, January 1976 – George Best, once hailed as the “fifth Beatle,” was more reminiscent of a worn-out rocker than the soccer sensation the world had known. TG4’s gripping documentary, George Best i gCorcaigh, captured his heartbreaking descent during a brief stint with Cork Celtic.

Best’s Decline in Ireland’s League of the 70s

In the mid-1970s, Irish soccer was a magnet for worn-out stars seeking one last paycheck. Think of it as the Saudi Arabia of today. George Best, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, and Uwe Seeler were among those who found their way to League of Ireland clubs.

Yet, none held a candle to Best’s former glory. Despite his love for the bottle over the ball, folks still turned out in thousands. In Cork, they saw magic they’d never forget, though not always for the right reasons.

“He was still handsome – god, he was beautiful and tanned.”

Cork Celtic’s Gamble on the Troubled Star

Cash-strapped Cork Celtic signed Best in 1975, more for his name than his faltering skills. They’d lure back some of their troubled finances, but their patchy home grounds – the lavish Flower Lodge and the crumbling Turner’s Cross – provided a stark contrast to Best’s past grandeur.

His Time in Cork: A Cautionary Tale

Best’s first game at Flower Lodge was a spectacle. Half of Cork turned up, including fans of their arch-rivals, Cork Hibs. Yet, Best, apathetic and drunk, offered little more than a shadow of his former self.

Jimmy Barry Murphy, a local football and hurling legend, recalls, “We went to see magic, but it just didn’t happen.”

His second game at Turner’s Cross saw more effort but little else. Best could’ve scored, but Bobby Tambling, insistent on taking the penalty, missed. Crowds dwindled, and Celtic swiftly ended their arrangement.

Legacy and Lessons

Both Celtic and Best would fade into history. The club went bust, joining other defunct LOI clubs. Best, addicted to alcohol, passed away in 2005 at 59.

But those who saw him play, at his peak or in decline, held onto memories that endure. George Best i gCorcaigh tells this tragedy with warmth and poignant honesty.

FAQs

What was Best’s salary at Cork Celtic?

He was paid £1,000 a game (about £15,000 in today’s money).

Why did Irish soccer attract aging stars in the 70s?

Lacking domestic success, clubs offered a payday to retired or fading stars.