The ‘Best’ Connection

Without doubt George Best was one of the greatest footballers of all time. At Crewe we are very proud that he adorned our shirt on two separate occasions for charity fundraising games organised by the club.

However, the initial connection with George was made by club founder Tom McKenna dating back to 1964 when the young Belfast boy just forced his way into the Manchester United team. Tom recalled “George came to the club to present some awards and I can remember when I collected him from the airport the first thing he said was take me home first to see my parents – then I’m yours for the rest of the day”.

It wasn’t until the end of his footballing career that George Best came back ‘home’ to play for Crewe. Then Crewe chairman Eric Lyons along with Tom McKenna and Vice-President George Keenan travelled to London to meet George and talk about the game.

The first time was in 1989 as Crewe played Dundalk FC. That game was scheduled to be played at Crewe Park, but torrential rain resulted in it moving to New Grosvenor Park at Ballyskeagh. It was a great occasion and Denis Law also attended, albeit his boots had been well and truly hung up at that stage. That night the good cause was Action Cancer with significant funds raised for that charity.

George played many charity games for many clubs, but rarely did he play twice for them. We were fortunate that in 1995 George again turned out for Crewe, this time at Crewe Park against a Showbiz Select to raise funds for Down’s Syndrome.

On that occasion George was joined by his new wife Alex and his father Dickie. It was quite a moment as the stretched limousine entered the gates at Crewe Park to see the legend. Indeed sadly, this was the last ever time George Best would play on Northern Irish soil.

In 2006 following the untimely passing of George Best the club invite Alex Best back to Crewe Park in a fundraiser for the Cromwell Road Hospital in London who had treated George for many years. She flew into Crewe Park on an RAF helicopter and we were also joined by Professor Williams who looked after George in latter years made the trip from London as we raised £10,000  for the hospital.

It is a highlight of our history having George Best pull on the red and white shirt of Crewe.