George Best statue plan under threat

**Dirtycheat** · 10-28-2007, 10:42 AM

Appeal for £80,000 George Best statue nets justs £2,000

Family: Sister Barbara (left) and second wife Alex cuddle up to the late George

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

More than 100,000 people lined the streets of Belfast for the funeral of one of the world's greatest footballers, George Best.But almost two years after his death a fund set up to build an £80,000 statue of Belfast's favourite son has raised just £2,000 – and half of that was donated by Northern Ireland striker David Healy.

Organisers of the George Best Trust admit they are on the verge of giving up the project because of a lack of interest from former fans. They had hoped to unveil the statue on the second anniversary of Best's death – November 25.

Belfast City Council set up the trust in the outpouring of emotion after the star's funeral, which was watched on TV by 100million people worldwide. But money has barely trickled in to the fund since it opened last December.

Trust spokesman Eamon Deeny admits he is disappointed.

He said: There has been very little interest from businesses or corporate groups and, even though there is still great affection for George, people don't seem to be donating."

Best enjoyed a dazzling career at Manchester United, where he started playing at the age of 15, but off-the-field temptations took their toll and he left in 1973 aged just 27. Despite appearing for Fulham and several American clubs, his career never hit the same heights and he began to spiral into a life of womanising and alcoholism.

Best was married twice – to Angela MacDonald-James and then to Alex Pursey.

I am quite suprised that 80,000 pounds cant be raised for a statue. He has so many fans, friends and a lot of them are very rich.

Ivan_11 · 11-21-2007, 04:25 PM

It`s real shame, and I can`t quite understand it. He is a legend both in United and in Northern Island...

**GocartMozart** · 11-21-2007, 04:53 PM

is this a statue to be placed in OT or in Belfast?

**randy420** · 11-21-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

is this a statue to be placed in OT or in Belfast?

yes, it is..

ou7blaze · 11-22-2007, 07:25 PM

Guess people don't care or forget about things easily these days..

Damo is a red · 11-23-2007, 12:39 AM

I'm from Belfast, and went back to visit recently. The city airport has been renamed after George Best, but I really think the city council should pay for a statue to commemorate Best. The tourist industry is booming there at the moment, and a George Best statue in the city center would be a great addition to the sights already on offer.

**GocartMozart** · 11-23-2007, 06:45 AM

yeah exactly. i'd be shocked if united went to its fans, and if they did, that they wouldn't come up with required donations to get the statue. just proves that united>>>>belfast

Damo is a red · 11-23-2007, 11:52 PM

United >>>> "insert country here"

It's always amuses me when a United player has had a bad time playing for England, and the opposing fans/media has a go at them. Old Trafford, which still is occupied by mostly English born fans, simply sing "stick your England up yer arse !" Club versus country? no contest, there's only ONE UNITED!

slimjim55 · 12-07-2007, 09:36 PM

i can't stand watching england play any more...it's like pulling teeth...

11-21-2007, 04:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
GocartMozart Status: Roonatic #1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Liebesträume No. 3 Posts: 1,775 National Team: Bulgaria vCash: 112 Thanks: 453 Thanked 88 Times in 51 Posts	is this a statue to be placed in OT or in Belfast? __________________ Quality of Posts > Quantity of Posts There is a reason I bleed red. United until I die. Jessica wants to you to come to Terrace Talk: The Official Blog of United Zone

11-23-2007, 06:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
GocartMozart Status: Roonatic #1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Liebesträume No. 3 Posts: 1,775 National Team: Bulgaria vCash: 112 Thanks: 453 Thanked 88 Times in 51 Posts	yeah exactly. i'd be shocked if united went to its fans, and if they did, that they wouldn't come up with required donations to get the statue. just proves that united>>>>belfast __________________ Quality of Posts > Quantity of Posts There is a reason I bleed red. United until I die. Jessica wants to you to come to Terrace Talk: The Official Blog of United Zone

11-23-2007, 11:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Damo is a red Status: Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: leeds, England Posts: 35 National Team: Eire, North Ireland, England Club Team: Manchester United Players: Best, Robson, Keane, Huges, Rooney vCash: 500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	United >>>> "insert country here" It's always amuses me when a United player has had a bad time playing for England, and the opposing fans/media has a go at them. Old Trafford, which still is occupied by mostly English born fans, simply sing "stick your England up yer arse !" Club versus country? no contest, there's only ONE UNITED! __________________ Only One United

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11-21-2007, 04:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ivan_11 Status: Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Smederevo, Serbia Posts: 40 National Team: Serbia Club Team: Manchester United, VLC, PFC Players: Giggs, Vidic, Scholes, Rooney, Rio vCash: 500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It`s real shame, and I can`t quite understand it. He is a legend both in United and in Northern Island...

11-22-2007, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
ou7blaze Status: Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 39 National Team: England Players: Giggs, Keane, Scholes, Rooney. vCash: 500 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guess people don't care or forget about things easily these days..

11-23-2007, 12:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Damo is a red Status: Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: leeds, England Posts: 35 National Team: Eire, North Ireland, England Club Team: Manchester United Players: Best, Robson, Keane, Huges, Rooney vCash: 500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm from Belfast, and went back to visit recently. The city airport has been renamed after George Best, but I really think the city council should pay for a statue to commemorate Best. The tourist industry is booming there at the moment, and a George Best statue in the city center would be a great addition to the sights already on offer.

12-07-2007, 09:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
slimjim55 Status: Noob Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 33 National Team: England Club Team: Man Utd Players: Rooney, Hargreaves, McClair vCash: 500 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i can't stand watching england play any more...it's like pulling teeth...