George Best RIP

[El Gordo]

Considering the hurt he cased to so many folk around him, does he really deserve all the adulation?

I don't think he caused "hurt" to that many people really. But if we are to evaluate him in this way, then we have to put on the other side of the scales the extraordinary pleasure and inspiration he generated for many millions of people, including those who wouldn't count themselves as supporters of Manchester United.

But it goes beyond that. Best was more than a footballer; he was the man who dragged the game from the old world to the new. He bestrode the tectonic plates of Game and Fan, and he realigned them.

If you aren't a football fan, and if you've no memories of his presence as a player, there's no reason why you should understand this.