George Best 'a very human hero'

1.57.03pm GMT Fri 25th Nov 2005

Alliance Party Sports Spokesperson Michael Long has led his party's tributes to George Best, who passed away today aged 59, saying it would leave a 'hole in our lives'.

Cllr Long said of the Northern Ireland international: "Many people across Northern Ireland will feel a hole in their lives due to the passing of George Best, a true sporting legend. On behalf of my party, I extend my sympathy to his family and his wide circle of friends.

"Those of us in the Cregagh area in particular will miss him. Ours are the streets he grew up in, ours are the streets which sang his name the loudest, and ours are the streets where he will be mourned the most.

"I had the privilege to meet him at a time of great optimism when he became a freeman of Castlereagh Borough three years ago. It is a great shame that the downturn came so quickly.

"But still, he leaves behind him many superb memories from his time in the green shirt - among them a single-handed demolition of Scotland in 1967, the disallowed goal against Gordon Banks in 1971, and the final foray against the mighty Dutch in 1977. His talent just seemed to know no bounds, and will live on for all those who saw it.

Party colleague Cllr Ian James Parsley, Chair of Young Alliance, added: "George Best was a very human hero. He intrigued us all because he illustrated so clearly both human genius and human failing. His astonishing sporting skill and personal charisma gave him a place in everyone's life here.

"Football and Northern Ireland have both today lost perhaps their most prominent figure. Regardless of his excesses, those of us who love the game will feel a deep and genuine sense of loss, due to a deep and genuine affection for the man and for his brilliance."

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Cllr Michael Long (Castlereagh, Sports Spokesperson): 078 7639 5436

Cllr Ian James Parsley (North Down, Press Office): 079 5604 5764