We had a thread on him somewhere didn't we?

Anyway couldn't find it so started this one...

The point being that his Doctor has said he has only 24 huors left, he is so ill there is no way he can recover.

If he survives the next day it will be a miracle apparently.

I feel sorry for his family who have to endure the media circus at this sad time for them, but I don't have an ounce of sympathy for George Best. Harsh, maybe but he had many chances and he blew them. He was given a liver from someone who died, can you imagine if you were a family member of that person? He abused his right to have that liver.

I appreciate he allowed the photos to be taken to show as a message to other alcoholics and his saving grace is that he might save a few poor lost souls.

His dying wish is for him to remembered for being the talented, brilliant player that he was............somehow with today's hungry press I can't see that happening.

I feel sorry for his family who have to endure the media circus at this sad time for them, but I don't have an ounce of sympathy for George Best. Harsh, maybe but he had many chances and he blew them. He was given a liver from someone who died, can you imagine if you were a family member of that person? He abused his right to have that liver.

I agree with you. It is a harsh opinion, but one i share. That liver could of gone to someone who would of cherished it, and had a blummin brilliant life. He chose to go back on the booze, and the liver has had enough. He was warned what would happen, but he drank anyway.

I feel sorry for his family, but not for Best.

Agreed with the rest of the comments here. Yes it's a shame for his family who have had to watch him abuse himself like this over years but he only has himself to blame.

I think that the rest of you are bing a bit harsh on George Best - Alcoholism is a disease -

"Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined."

It's not something that he chose to have.

When he goes I will mourn the passing of one the most gifted footballers that I ever saw.

And - yes- I feel sorry for him - as I would feel sorry for anyone who has suffered an illness which has caused them to die before their time.

I think that the rest of you are bing a bit harsh on George Best - Alcoholism is a disease -

"Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined."

It's not something that he chose to have.

When he goes I will mourn the passing of one the most gifted footballers that I ever saw.

And - yes- I feel sorry for him - as I would feel sorry for anyone who has suffered an illness which has caused them to die before their time.

I feel the same Rob, there but for the grace of god go I and I suspect most other people!

Today is a sad day not only for his family but for football fans everywhere!

I think that the rest of you are bing a bit harsh on George Best - Alcoholism is a disease -

"Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined."

It's not something that he chose to have.

When he goes I will mourn the passing of one the most gifted footballers that I ever saw.

And - yes- I feel sorry for him - as I would feel sorry for anyone who has suffered an illness which has caused them to die before their time.

I know it's a disease and I can't imagine how hard it would be to combat but you'd think that after being given a 2nd chance in the form of a new liver that he would've tried harder. It was just a complete waste of a healthy liver that a more grateful person could've done with.

I think that the rest of you are bing a bit harsh on George Best - Alcoholism is a disease -

"Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease with symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many other diseases, it has a generally predictable course, has recognized symptoms, and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors that are being increasingly well defined."

It's not something that he chose to have.

When he goes I will mourn the passing of one the most gifted footballers that I ever saw.

And - yes- I feel sorry for him - as I would feel sorry for anyone who has suffered an illness which has caused them to die before their time.

He did chose to have that though Rob, he chose to let alcohol take over his life.

Maybe I am being harsh but I am reading Life & Limb and if anyone had to struggle with life it was Jamie Andrew. He has battled from the edge of death without the need for alcohol, wheras George Best had the world at his feet (pardon the pun) and wanted more, and destroyed the lives of those around him as well as himself.

Alcohol maybe an illness as such to some, but like drugs he could have walked away and said no before it came too much of a problem.

I know it's a disease and I can't imagine how hard it would be to combat but you'd think that after being given a 2nd chance in the form of a new liver that he would've tried harder. It was just a complete waste of a healthy liver that a more grateful person could've done with.

That's a bit like saying you should try harder to cure yourself of cancer isn't it?

I am sitting rather on the fence over this debate.

I KNOW alcoholism is a disease, however, after a transplant don't they give you a medication that stops rejection of the liver, and isn't it agreed that to drink on top of this medication makes you extremely ill.

I do not fully know all the ins and outs of this and I maybe am being a little niave. But if you feel as sick as a pig when you drink ontop of medication, would that not be enough incentive to at least TRY to stop drinking...

Did George try to stop drinking?

That's a bit like saying you should try harder to cure yourself of cancer isn't it?

I would disagree with that Rob. Cancer isn't a choice, becoming an alcoholic is.

I don't wish anybody dead but i have no sympathy whatsoever for Georgie Boy. If he insists on drinking like a fish when the doctors have told him he could die, then that's his look out. He is a stupid selfish old man. I don't partically like her but his ex wife Alex was really good to George and what did he do, but shi-t on her. ( there that's me said my piece for the day)

I don't wish anybody dead but i have no sympathy whatsoever for Georgie Boy. If he insists on drinking like a fish when the doctors have told him he could die, then that's his look out. He is a stupid selfish old man. I don't partically like her but his ex wife Alex was really good to George and what did he do, but shi-t on her. ( there that's me said my piece for the day)

I don't really have any time for Alex Best, she knew what she was getting herself into with him. Why would someone like her want to be with a washed-out drunken ex-footballer? I mean, who was she before she met him........a nobody but being married to him raised her profile. If she hadn't married him, we would never have heard of her.

I would disagree with that Rob. Cancer isn't a choice, becoming an alcoholic is.

No - it's not - He didn't decide to become an alcoholic - nobody does. Alcoholism affects some people and not others - like any disease.

It's a disease - not a choice.

I don't really have any time for Alex Best, she knew what she was getting herself into with him. Why would someone like her want to be with a washed-out drunken ex-footballer? I mean, who was she before she met him........a nobody but being married to him raised her profile. If she hadn't married him, we would never have heard of her.


Yes i agree, but my point is she was still good to George and look at the way he treated her. anyway George's illness was self-inflicted, he knew what would happen but he refused to stop, now he has to suffer the consequences. (slow suicide innit):mellow:

That's a bit like saying you should try harder to cure yourself of cancer isn't it?
Well, no. There is a cure for alcoholism but there isn't for cancer.

Well, no. There is a cure for alcoholism but there isn't for cancer.

Not according to this:-
"While alcoholism is a treatable disease, a cure is not yet available. That means that even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long while and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. "Cutting down" on drinking doesn't work; cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery."

Rob, you do chose to become an alcoholic, just like you chose to become a drug addict.

Alcoholics claim they are victims, that not enough help is given when there are groups upon groups out there willing to help, but they ultimately need to want that help and not play the victim card if they really want to do something about it.

I appreciate that if you are a recovering alcohlic then it must be extremely difficult not to say no to a drink as it is very socialable and legal, and the opportunity arises at almost every occassion, wheras if you were a drug addict you could just remove yourself from that enviroment.

I do still think that there is a choice though, there is a choice not to depend on alcohol to survive, there is a choice to say no when you have had enough, choices are there for most things and there is a choice whether or not you become an alcoholic.

Not according to this:-
"While alcoholism is a treatable disease, a cure is not yet available. That means that even if an alcoholic has been sober for a long while and has regained health, he or she remains susceptible to relapse and must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages. "Cutting down" on drinking doesn't work; cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery."
The last line says it all - by cutting out alcohol an alcoholic can make a successful recovery. George Best didn't do this and now, unfortunately, he's paying the price.
He could have recovered from his alcoholism but he didn't because he kept drinking..
Some people can't recover from some types of cancer so I don't see how they can be compared.

I would just like to know how any of you who is taking the "serves him right" tack would feel if it were a member of their family. And how you would feel if you were reading these type of comments about someone you love.

He has family too.

I would just like to know how anyone who is taking the "serves him right" tack would feel if it were a member of their family.

He has family too.

If it was a member of my family I'd be devastated. But he's not. I'm sure he's brought them a lot of heartache over the years.

Granted. But I'm sure they still love him and don't think he deserves to die.

Granted. But I'm sure they still love him and don't think he deserves to die.

I'm sure they do. And I feel sorry for them, but not for him.

I know what you're saying and what a lot of you are saying. I do feel sorry for him, whether he "brought it upon himself" or not. There but for the grace of God and all that.

He was a gifted but weak man who has slowly killed himself and I think that's sad.

I have already said that I feel sorry for his family. It must be terrible for them right now but it doesn't change the fact that he brought this on himself.

I don't think people consciously do make the choice to become alcoholics. As has been said, it is a progressive disease, that the majority of time, people don't realise they have until it's took it's grip, when it is too late. I find it hard to believe that anyone takes that first drink in order to become addicted. We never can understand what anyone else is going through.

I think the problem actually lies in whether he should have been given a liver as he was an alcoholic. Should maybe the deal be that someone gets a liver if they are a recovering alcoholic rather than someone who is still continuously abusing their liver?

I just think it's sad that life gets too hard for people that they cannot deal with it. I think we are all at different levels of fragility in our lives, some are stronger than others. Until we step in someone else's shoes, we really don't know.

I hope that this sitting around waiting for someone to die media circus, stops one day as I think it is horrible and cruel for the family. Let us know when he dies by all means, but don't have it scrolling across the screen constantly, as it is doing on Sky News. I think it's very sad.

Agree totally with Cerises post its like a countdown to death on the news.

I would just like to know how any of you who is taking the "serves him right" tack would feel if it were a member of their family. And how you would feel if you were reading these type of comments about someone you love.

He has family too.

Patsy, I have been there with a member of my family and was left to pick up the pieces when he died because he couldn't control his drinking.

Yes, I still loved him but I was angry when he died as he was also given a chance and given a heart valve. He was told under no circumstances was he to drink but he did and he died leaving behind devestation.

He was a gifted but weak man who has slowly killed himself and I think that's sad.

Patsy this is exactly what I was going to post....I have never really understood addiction being classed as a disease but it is something you just don't snap out of.

George Best was one of the greastest footballers of our time, but he had a great weakness that let him down. He just couldn't find the strength to stop what he knew was killing him, devastating others around him and making him look a fool. Do you think he liked himself whilst he was doing this? No but he just couldn't help it, he did try after his transplant, very hard....but he just wasn't strong willed enough.

George Best you are a Legend.

I hope that this sitting around waiting for someone to die media circus, stops one day as I think it is horrible and cruel for the family. Let us know when he dies by all means, but don't have it scrolling across the screen constantly, as it is doing on Sky News. I think it's very sad.

I'm sure ITV were hoping he'd die between 10 and 10.30 so they could be the first to report it on the 10.30 news. That's how it feels anyway. And I'm sure all the journalists are hoping they could get home to their beds too.

I feel sorry for him because of his illness...I feel sorry for his family, as it is obviously sad for them.
But the media are like vultures.....like watching and waiting excitedly to see who will be first to get the 'good news' that he has died. It's rotten.
His former fans have a right to mourn him, but his demise should not take such precedence in the top news stories.....

I think he has now died. Im not 100% sure, but Digital Spy have it as a large headline - but Yahoo have yet to confirm.

Well...R.I.P.

It has been annouced on the News that he has passed away.


R.I.P. George....

What a waste of a life - 59 is no age, and the waste of a liver as well.

Without a doubt George Best was a talented player, and has inspired many youngsters.

I am not that harsh and hearing the news today, I do feel some sympathy for him, yeah, yeah I know what I said earlier but my heart is not made of stone! It is sad that someone who could have any really anything he wanted, could not fight his demons.

I am sad at his passing but he is at peace now and it is family who will have to endure the media hound-dogs with the stories of his colourful life being blasted all over the front pages. Let him be remembered for the great footballer he was.

Well said, you saucy little beader. :wink_kiss

I would just like to know how any of you who is taking the "serves him right" tack would feel if it were a member of their family. And how you would feel if you were reading these type of comments about someone you love.

He has family too.


Yes i know what you are saying,but i still feel the same way. i have a step brother who is an alcoholic he is only 36, he is in and out of hospital.we have tried and tried to help him, but they have got to want to help themselves first. i mean what can you do? it's sad but you can't force someone to stop drinking.

All of you who pronounce to 'understand the alcoholic' and don't wish their sympathy on George Best.

Was your sibling/relation etc such a super star in their time that they bought great joy to the nation, increased the inflow of capital to the UK, was an international superstar who put the UK on the global map...NO?

If so ...how can you compare - how dare you compare?

George Best was an Icon.

All of you who pronounce to 'understand the alcoholic' and don't wish their sympathy on George Best.

Was your sibling/relation etc such a super star in their time that they bought great joy to the nation, increased the inflow of capital to the UK, was an international superstar who put the UK on the global map...NO?

:mad2: No of course they were'nt.
I still don't know why all this is meant to change the fact that ultimately, and I'll say it again, he brought it on himself. Are you trying to deny that?
Even if I have no sympathy for George, I am still sad at his passing. I wish his family all the best as well.
He was a truly talented person and I hope he can rest in peace.

All of you who pronounce to 'understand the alcoholic' and don't wish their sympathy on George Best.

Was your sibling/relation etc such a super star in their time that they bought great joy to the nation, increased the inflow of capital to the UK, was an international superstar who put the UK on the global map...NO?

If so ...how can you compare - how dare you compare?

George Best was an Icon.

I have to say cat, I don't see what difference who he was or what he did makes to the fact that he died an alcoholics death.

My heart went out to his family and close friends when they were on the news last night, and his fathers request to be left alone to grieve the death of his son, was emotional. But I feel that any father/mother/sibling would make me feel the same emotion if they made the same request.

George Best was a football icon - no doubt about that and I feel a huge sadness that his life took the turns that it did once he had retired from football.

But back to the main point - the man died from alcohol abuse, plain and simple and those people that have witnessed the demise of a family member can compare as ultimately they are all human beings.

May he rest in peace. he was a superstar in his heydayin the 70's and a rather stonking me at that. hope there is a bar in heaven for you George.:)

All of you who pronounce to 'understand the alcoholic' and don't wish their sympathy on George Best.

Was your sibling/relation etc such a super star in their time that they bought great joy to the nation, increased the inflow of capital to the UK, was an international superstar who put the UK on the global map...NO?

If so ...how can you compare - how dare you compare?

George Best was an Icon.

And George Best done all that single-handlely did he? C'mon Cat, you think he was a God or something, he was a footballer player albeit a great one, but he didn't bring the world to it's knees.

And regardless of if he was international superstar, he was still a washed-up alcoholic who got drunk and got into his car and drove! He got jailed for that, because he done it on more than one occassion. He could have killed someone, a child, a member of your family - oh, but that's ok he is an international superstar!

He had everything money could buy, he had gorgeous girls dropping at his feet, he could have had a happy lifestyle but he chose to drink.

Yes, I am sad that someone so talented wasted their lives, sad that his family are suffering but he should not get special treatment just because he was a great footballer.

And George Best done all that single-handlely did he? C'mon Cat, you think he was a God or something, he was a footballer player albeit a great one, but he didn't bring the world to it's knees.

And regardless of if he was international superstar, he was still a washed-up alcoholic who got drunk and got into his car and drove! He got jailed for that, because he done it on more than one occassion. He could have killed someone, a child, a member of your family - oh, but that's ok he is an international superstar!

He had everything money could buy, he had gorgeous girls dropping at his feet, he could have had a happy lifestyle but he chose to drink.

Yes, I am sad that someone so talented wasted their lives, sad that his family are suffering but he should not get special treatment just because he was a great footballer.



Well Said ole Girl !:wink2:

Lets just agree to differ then shall we ladies (and PJ), because I stand by everyword of my post.

George best wasn't just a footballer; he was the first footballer to be seen as a style icon and to be known for more than just football.

Like Elvis, The Beatles, Sex Pistols and all the other 'firsts', he deserves his place in history.

George best wasn't just a footballer; he was the first footballer to be seen as a style icon and to be known for more than just football.

Like Elvis, The Beatles, Sex Pistols and all the other 'firsts', he deserves his place in history.

Hear hear.

Well said Fee!!

I know buger all about football but I do know an icon when I see one!

I bought my best mate Kate a Vintage George Best Football Annual for her Xmas pressie last Xmas - she knows even less about footbal than I - she just loved the man!!

George best wasn't just a footballer; he was the first footballer to be seen as a style icon and to be known for more than just football.

Like Elvis, The Beatles, Sex Pistols and all the other 'firsts', he deserves his place in history.

Fee, despite what I think about his alcohilsm, he was a true great and as I have said his footballing skills were magical! By all accounts, he was reported to be a very charming man and any footballer who has played along side him have nothing but good to say about him.

In the end his life-style killed him, and the media exposure did not help. I have nothing but total disprespect for those journalists who hounded George Best when he was in the depths of despair.

Totally agree with your last point Bella. He's been hounded by the press for years which will have been of no help at all to any attempts to manage his alcoholism.

I must say I bet he's a bit miffed he died on the day they bring in 24 hours drinking.

Life's a funny thing.

The papers are so two faced, they run Best into the ground when he was alive and as soon as the poor ****** is dead it's like Best was the greatest! SAY WHAT?:mellow:

That did'nt take long..did it.
He is only dead and buried a wet week (ish) and ALREADY someone has brought a charity record to raise money for the George Best Foundation or something.
It's to help treat peeps with kidney ailments and transplants etc.
It's a version of a song out years ago and that chap from belfast has released it and is donating all the money to the George Best Foundation.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

That did'nt take long..did it.
He is only dead and buried a wet week (ish) and ALREADY someone has brought a charity record to raise money for the George Best Foundation or something.
It's to help treat peeps with kidney ailments and transplants etc.
It's a version of a song out years ago and that chap from belfast has released it and is donating all the money to the George Best Foundation.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


the old soak should never have been given a transplant IMHO :ranting: