George Best at the L.A. Aztecs

June 13, 2012 7:13 PM

Some great retro images of George Best during his time with the L.A. Aztecs in 1976. Includes this wonderful image of Best and Pele - whats not to like about it? As the article writer says: "George Best. The NASL. adidas retro kit. Pelé in a coral suit.......To be honest, you could probably shoot us now..."
posted by marienbad (10 comments total)

Georgie's left knee in that photo... dear God.
posted by unSane at 7:18 PM on June 13, 2012

I like these kind of posts.
posted by book 'em dano at 7:51 PM on June 13, 2012

"I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted." - George Best
posted by neuron at 8:57 PM on June 13, 2012

For anybody who doesn't know who George Best is, he's that hirsute fellow on the cover of the Wedding Present album, George Best.
posted by Flashman at 9:02 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Last month, in celebration of what would have been Best's 66th birthday, I went back an watched Fußball wie noch nie again, the Hellmuth Costard film. I also watched the George Best Story, which wasn't that great, but oh the goals...

This week I've been on a big Beckenbauer/Cruyff kick (because of today's match between Germany and the Netherlands, and the 74 WM final), but I might go watch Best's NASL goals.

Speaking of Der Kaiser... In Bed With Maradona's current featured gallery is of the 1972 European Championship, which was a much different format.

Flashman, have you seen Lego George Best?
posted by kendrak at 9:22 PM on June 13, 2012

I only knew who George Best was because of a Boys' Own Adventure annual I had circa 1978. (Which I still have somewhere. See also Sterling Moss).

I know Pele from his Atari game.

I feel these things date me.
posted by Mezentian at 9:22 PM on June 13, 2012

Look at the goal his scores at 26:40 and his sideburns at 27:20. Both amazing.
posted by drjimmy11 at 11:13 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Flashman: For anybody who doesn't know who George Best is, he's that hirsute fellow on the cover of the Wedding Present album, George Best.

Being in the States, that's precisely all I know about him. The Wedding Present was great, but I never really understood what Gedge was saying by putting Best on the cover of that record. Can you decipher that a bit?
posted by Skygazer at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2012

Well, to answer my own question from a documentary I was able to find, seems that George Best was almost divinely gifted as a footballer, and there were tons of examples of him pulling off unbelievable feats of getting by a teams defense and nailing a goal, but he was also a bit of a drinker, and he loved to drink and live fast and date beautiful women, who I guess couldn't resist his good looks.

Quite the character, Interesting way to pay tribute to a brilliant artist and athlete. A hero.
posted by Skygazer at 5:37 PM on June 14, 2012

I never really understood what Gedge was saying by putting Best on the cover of that record. Can you decipher that a bit?

Sorry for the late response, but: I'd guess that Best would be something of a touchstone for David Gedge for being a brilliant northerner tormented by personal demons, and somebody who was very much of his place and the vernacular of northern Britain. The persona, and that image of Best brooding/glowering on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Manchester, might be some sort of mission statement for the Wedding Present.
posted by Flashman at 2:07 PM on June 15, 2012 [1 favorite]