On reaching the end of the George Best documentary ‘ALL BY HIMSELF‘ (Dir Daniel Gordon, 92 minutes, 2016), there was nothing in my notes to suggest any new insight into the life of the wayward genius had been gained – but this always watchable film does serve to emphasise his remarkable ability as a footballer without shying away from his personal failings.
As footage from the fledgling days of his Manchester United career changes from black and white into colour, so it takes Belfast-born Best into a stratosphere of fame never before occupied by a British sportsman.
Breathtaking ball skills and spectacular goals offer a reminder that in his prime Best was the finest player in Europe.
Indeed, one astonishing goal scored against Spurs at Old Trafford was closer to San Paulo than Salford in its execution – but what is also remarkable is the patience and affability he displays in early interviews, never once showing disdain for the same old round of questions.
Watching once more the clips of him gliding past defenders, it was impossible not to conclude that no player has ever been blessed with such balance.
Therefore it is sad to reflect the poise he showed on the pitch was rarely found in his private life, the final third of the ‘All By Himself‘ documentary given over to his spiral into alcoholism and a chaotic existence that resulted in one dispiriting episode after another – each one blurring, no pun intended, the line between world-class footballer and hopeless drunk.
The documentary uses the talking heads format and while it comes as a surprise there is no place for Denis Law or Bobby Charlton (the other two-thirds of the 1960s Old Trafford ‘Holy-Trinity‘) among those who are interviewed, former Manchester United team-mate Pat Crerand offers close-quarters perspective – speaking with great candour about the wonderful footballer who became a wilfully self-destructive man.
In 1965 Best was labelled the ‘fifth Beatle‘ but as his predilection for alcohol increases the rock star he comes closest to resemble is Keith Moon – miraculously outliving the madcap drummer by almost thirty years.
Seeing Crerand took me back to the spring of 1991 when he, Best and Law undertook a series of after dinner speaking engagements as a trio. In return for publicity I provided in a local newspaper, the promoter arranged for me to interview them when the tour arrived in Shrewsbury.
When the time came to answer questions from the audience Best, already in an advanced state of refreshment, was prompted and protected by his colleagues, who steered the event through to its conclusion.
Afterward I was invited through to a private area and receiving instruction to ‘give George five minutes before you approach him,’ was shown to a nearby table.
Sitting alone less than two yards away was my childhood hero and through my mind went some of the questions I longed to ask him:
Was it frustration at carrying an aging United team that sent his Old Trafford career off the rails? At his peak was there another English club he would have considered signing for? Would he have ever considered signing for AC Milan or Real Madrid?
In readiness I took out my notebook and closed in – but looking at the hunched, solitary figure staring intently into a glass, I lost my nerve and walked straight past.
It seemed the kindest thing to do.
This article was first published on 1/9/2017;
George Best – All By Himself is now available on DVD.
NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of MONTY’S DOUBLE – an acclaimed thriller now available as an Amazon Kindle Book.