Goodison Park

We were living at Chapel Farm in Cheshire at the time,I got a phone call from our neighbour
are you coming to the game on Saturday ?,he was a big Manchester United supporter and was 
        able to get tickets they were playing Everton away.I was free so took up his offer.

He was not only our neighbour but also a close family friend,his wife and my wife were also
close friends as were his children and our children they were all of a similar age and went to
                                                      the same school together.

Bill was quite a character and there were many funny stories linked to him,one in particular, I was
told  by another close farmer friend of his, they were going to look at at a bull which was for
sale and got stuck in traffic,every time the traffic stopped the car in front stopped and needed to
be pushed to get going again,he said Bill would get out and give him a push,and get back in not
mentioning a thing this went on for about 4 times,the 5th time he jumped out never saying anything
to me went to the drivers window,he just said I am bloody fed up with you, he said he could see
the shocked expression on the drivers face.I remember one occasion we were heading back to
his place driving in the narrow country roads,I looked over my shoulder and behind us was a fire
          engine ,in somewhat of a hurry,we were that busy talking we hadn't heard him.

In those days Goodison Park was a top venue,on this day George Best (Besty)was playing for
United he was a special talent and scored on that day United won 3-1 It was the best season for
                                          Best he scored 32 goals that season.

When Bob Bishop The United scout found Best in Belfast ( he was just 15yrs ) he sent a
                 telegram to Matt Busby  telling him he has just found a genius for him .

                                                                                      Best at 46yrs

He was only 59 when he died on November 25, 2005.Belfast City Airport was named
after him and he was named European footballer of the year in 1968,the year he helped
                              Manchester United win the European Cup.

He really was a special talent he brought so much to the game with his exciting style.
his control of the ball had to be seen to be believed It was very sad to see him die  so
young he was unable to show the same control off the field as he did on it and in spite
of having so many good people trying to help him to change his lifestyle it was all in
                                    vain and his body finally gave up.