He’s one of the most iconic players in British and world football. Winger George Best really was one of the greatest on his day. After his lengthy spell with Manchester United, he took in spells at various clubs, before he popped round to Hibs for a period towards the end of his career.
Best’s name will forever be associated with the Red Devils, where he hit the net on 181 occasions, won two league titles and lifted the 1968 European Cup.
George Best is a much-loved character. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
His time in Manchester came to an end after 11 years. Spells at South African side Jewish Guild, and Dunstable Town followed, before brief periods with Stockport, Cork Celtic, Los Angeles Aztecs and Fulham.
Best’s Hibs stint
In total he played 22 games in Scotland, scoring just three times. It was crazy to think he’d even come anywhere near the Scottish game, never mind a struggling Hibs at the time.
They were near the relegation zone, with fans fearing the worst as the thought of the drop loomed large. To try and alleviate these worries, something extra was needed at the club. Best, even though he was on the decline, arrived in Leith to help the Hibees escape relegation.
Best had one goal in Leith. (Photo by Joe Bangay/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Best made his debut for Hibs away to St Mirren on November 24th 1979. A bumper crowd followed him to Paisley, and even though he scored, he couldn’t prevent a 2-1 Hibs defeat.
Sadly things never worked out on the pitch for the icon in Edinburgh. Personal issues plagued him throughout the season and Hibs eventually went down. They accumulated just 14 points.
Forever remembered
Best would make a return to Hibs after their relegation in 1980, playing six games in total and avoiding defeat on six occasions.
Best sadly passed in 2005. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
The winger was well past his prime by the time he reached Leith, but occasionally, those moments that made him a Manchester United superstar appeared in Hibs green. He was in Scotland for less than year, but Best still made a remarkable impact on our game.