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When it was all over, when the four goals had been scored and the 56,000 crowd began to disperse, their gasps at the quality on view hanging in the air, Blanchflower emerged from the Irish dressing room to talk to the press about what he had just seen. “’Attack, attack, attack,’ that was Danny’s message,” recalls Derek Spence. I couldn’t get ready quick enough.”. This name will appear beside any comments you post. "He took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff’s feet. Nem tudja befejezni a bal lábát. In 1976 Johann Cruyf was being touted as a phenomenon and Northern Ireland played Holland in a friendly. “The Dutch were very kind, they turned a blind eye.”. God blessed me. Best had not played international football for three years. Krol equalised with a trademark long-range shot and when Cruyff quickly added a second, the Irish were assumed to be beaten. George Best had a league-best 18 assists, while David also benefitted from the midfield play of Charlie Cooke, who added 15 assists of his own over the course of the season. “To be called up to play against Johan Cruyff, Neeskens, Krol and the rest was something,” Spence says, “but what was more important to me was that I was going to meet George Best. ", WATCH: Upcoming documentary on George Best looks absolutely incredible. Ahead of the game, Best was chatting with journalist Bill Elliot when Cruyff's name cropped up. . His first major decision was to recall George Best, then at Fulham. You’ve got to love Danny Blanchflower. Instead of heading towards goal he turned directly infield, weaved his way past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. . “I was happy to be sub – Best, Cruyff, Neeskens!?”. Le migliori frasi di George Best, Belfast. Northern Ireland return to Rotterdam next Thursday for the first time since his goal in 1976, although he says: “That moment with George on the Sunday night in the hotel was as good as scoring.”. Then Best told the reporter that the first chance he got he would nutmeg Cruyff. I was there when he scored that great goal against Chelsea. “There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me" Manchester United's best XI of all time 8. “I missed that but Jimmy Nicholl says that when he met Neeskens and Krol years later they remembered because they were delighted. His highwater mark for goals just barely broke Best's man U record of goals for a winger, which stood for over forty years. There were 16 minutes left and after 14 of them it was still 2-1. My knees were trembling. He didn’t, he was being kind.”. Platitudes and clichés, they were for other football men. On the Tuesday night Blackpool placed a bid of £50,000 for him and he was to join on Thursday. But logic did not triumph in this particular conflict. On Wednesday night in Rotterdam, he was named as sub. I was fortunate to see both of them play in the North American Soccer League and have seen numerous clips of both. (...) Cruyff jest człowiekiem, który nauczył mnie grać w piłkę. I’ll tell you what I’ll do tonight… I’ll nutmeg Cruyff the first chance I get. Blanchflower, ever the contrary, revolutionary sophist said “Holland were the better, more accomplished side”. George Best et Johan Cruyff, deux immenses légendes du football. frank schoon , May 8, 2020 at 8:32 a.m. George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United.A highly skillful dribbler, Best is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He was 30. Quotations by Johan Cruyff, Dutch Athlete, Born April 25, 1947. George Best represents what the good and bad of footballing fame can do to a player. “’Oh, yeah, I remember,’ George said. Sure enough the first time the ball came to him he dribbled multiple players to get to Cruyff then proceeds to … He designed a new kit for the game, never played in it again. Best, of course, had a habit of not doing so. George Fraser was born on month day 1909, at birth place, to James, Daniel (ch'd fr William) Fraser and Georgina, Henderson Fraser. George Best may well have contained the same potential as Cruyff but the proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say, not in ifs and buts. The first time the ball came to George Best he looked around for Cruyf, went up to him and nutmegged him - then he looked up at the press box with a smile on his face! ! Enjoy the best Johan Cruyff Quotes at BrainyQuote. One was dribbling with two balls. He was nothing if not optimistic. 50 Years of George Best, an illustrative look of the life and career of George Best, is on sale from the Mirror Collection Website or can be purchased … Spence was a 24-year-old forward from the Whitewell Road in north Belfast. It was still that scoreline at half-time. He was unbelievable, to see him in action like that . Then when her shift finished, she picked up her coat, walked casually over to George and they climbed the stairs. Best made a joke about Neeskens having “bad knees” after all the nutmegs. “Jimmy turned around and said: ‘Ah, how you doing George?’, “George Best was standing there. Eccentric. Please subscribe to sign in to comment. The classy Cruyff and Holland, who had lost the 1974 World Cup final to … 46K likes. Photograph: Getty Images. It’s with great sadness that we have learned of the death at his home in Australia of the legendary ex Linfield player, Billy Millen. Then we did some drills. While the footballing world mourns the 68-year-old's passing, some fantastic stories from his playing career have emerged. Share with your friends. Falleció en 2005, pero a lo largo de su vida dejó frases míticas. . The ball was eight yards out. I was in Oldham’s reserves. “Not being funny, I lost count. The account details entered are not currently associated with an Irish Times subscription. Logic said that Holland, captained by Johan Cruyff, with Johan Neeskens, Ruud Krol, Arie Haan and Robbie Resenbrink in the team, would demolish an Irish side that had scored once in its previous four games. A joiner! Are you kidding? "Only a few of us in the press box knew what this bravado act really meant. “The conclusion is reached,” reported the Belfast Telegraph in its preview, “that Northern Ireland will be on a hiding to nothing”. I remember thinking: ‘I really hope he turns up.’”. Christano Ronaldo for all the adulation and ego worship he gets out of people, is like a 96 or 97 attack in the game. Sometimes dreams do come true.”. George Best: produced an outstanding display to help Northern Ireland to a famous 2-2 draw in Rotterdam against a gifted Netherlands side. Another footballing star has dimmed. George Best played for Hibs in 1979 and 1980. George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team.In 1968 he won the European Cup with United, and was named the European Footballer of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year. Jimmy Nicholl, who played in the game, said, "I remember standing back and watching him, nutmegging Cruyff and Johan Neeskens, it gave you a lift. He had not yet scored. 4 comments about "In SA 40 years ago: Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, George Best, Americans in the NASL, and women's soccer". He had nutmegged Neeskens – and Cruyff. But it was the 1968 Footballer of the Year Spence wanted to meet. But his world was changing. Le migliori frasi del giocatore piu' forte di tutti i tempi The Netherland's drew 2-2 with Northern Ireland that evening. You have really got to love Danny Blanchflower. George Best (22. maj 1946 i Belfast, Nordirland – 25. november 2005 London, England) var en nordirsk professionel fodboldspiller, bedst kendt for sine år med Manchester United.Han var fløj, hvis spil bestod af pasninger, acceleration, balance, godt brug af begge fødder, målscoring og evnen til at komme udenom forsvarerne. Spence had started three of the four recent games, but George Best was back. I never tire of telling people about it. George Best in the NASL USSoccerPlayers -- Almost every soccer fan is familiar with the standard account of the career of George Best used by almost everyone who chooses to write about him. and then to socialise with him, to see him in action in the lounge bar . George Fraser 1909 1995 George Fraser, 1909 - Circa 1995. George Best's real name wasn't George? He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and came sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. He had worked as a joiner near Windsor Park before a move to Oldham in 1970. Only an idiot would have thought that on this evening. Six years later he was playing for Bury. 'Better than you?' Pelé dijo que pensaba que yo soy el mejor jugador de la historia. Here are my ratings for George best. Then David McCreery burst into the Dutch box, goalkeeper Eddy Treijtel dropped his cross and it ran to Derek Spence. Elliot since gave his take on how Best's prophecy came true: "Five minutes into the game Best received the ball wide on the left. At Bury these were scenes Spence was not accustomed to. Never once did he complain" - Moran's tribute to fellow soldier Clarke, Liverpool fume over penalty appeals as Danny Ings haunts them, The stakes at Chelsea are too high to accommodate Lampard's tactical education, Story of teenage Ryan Baird in Leinster gym tells us an awful lot about his athleticism, Co-main event added for UFC 257 as former Bellator champ makes debut, Uruguayan players accuse English FA of "ignorance and disdain" over Cavani ban, Johan Cruyff passed away at his family home, Connacht stun Leinster, Ulster go 10 from 10, and Lions Tour in doubt, VIDEO: Old Trafford shines brightly in George Best tribute, Juan Mata has paid tribute to George Best ahead of the 10th anniversary of his death. Las mejores frases de George Best. Dumbarton chairman Bob Robertson had struck up a connection with Cruyff’s agent at the time which … This was his 10th cap. En este artículo las puedes encontrar. We met up in Coventry on the Sunday and had a practice match on the Monday. Then, however, it offered a glimmer of hope. 9. . We’d all be laughing as he got carried away, but he was so serious about us that you couldn’t help but like him. George Best died yesterday Diego Maradona, one of George Best's few peers, hailed the Manchester United legend as the man who inspired him as a youngster, following his death yesterday. A cherished 45 minutes as Northern Ireland, little Northern Ireland with its limited talents, resources and other pressing problems handed out a lesson to the 1974 World Cup runners-up.”. However, I think George Best never reached his true height as a player. Ja też jestem ekspresywny, przez co wiele razy dochodziło do spięć między nami. “I’d asked for his autograph that day at the boutique. Remembering the night a 30-year-old George Best nutmegged Johan Cruyff Derek Spence recalls the famous night when he netted a late equaliser against the very best Sat, Oct 5, 2019, 06:00 Spence wrapped his right foot around it and it was 2-2. “We had a hell of a party that night, I was well gone.”, At 3am, Spence was unconscious until a fire hose was aimed at his face. Blanchflower was managing Northern Ireland for the first time. One such tale involves the meeting of Cruyff and George Best when his Dutch side took on Northern Ireland in 1976. Johan Cruyff the best in the world? For me, Pele is the greatest player ever. And Derek Spence, he has his memories. Spence did not mind, he knew they weren’t equals then or now. No, the bold Blanchflower surveyed the 90 minutes of Holland 2 Northern Ireland 2 in a raucous qualifier in Rotterdam for the 1978 World Cup and declared: “Football is a conflict between emotion and logic.”. George Best former footballer from Northern Ireland Left Winger * May 22, 1946 in Belfast, Northern Ireland Heard he is going to be a Legend on FIFA! Johan Cruyff created a way of seeing and playing the game that has influenced every single great side since the early 1970s that … I used to travel down to watch him, nothing can replace that feeling of seeing George at Old Trafford. One such tale involves the meeting of Cruyff and George Best when his Dutch side took on Northern Ireland in 1976. Share with your friends. 8. “That first-half display alone will live forever in the memory,” Brodie wrote. Brian Joy (4), George Best (11), Alan Stephens San Diego Jaws at Los Angeles Aztecs: Johnny Moore (8), George Best (11), San Jose Earthquakes at Los Angeles Aztecs: Dave Clements (6), Pele (10), George Best (11) New York Cosmos at Los Angeles Aztecs April 11, 1976: George Best (11), Pat McBride St. Louis Stars vs. Los Angeles Aztecs They were finally able to take the piss out of Cruyff.”. “He was fantastic with a blackboard. "You felt 'Right, here's one of the best players in the world, if not the best, playing for us [and] nutmegging their two best players... Go on then; we deserve to be here. Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON (Dutch: [ˈjoːɦɑn ˈkrœyf] (), internationally spelled Cruyff; 25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and coach.As a player, he won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974. I’d handed over my old joiner’s pencil and he’d signed a bit of paper. I’ve still got mine.”. When you have reset your password, you can, Please choose a screen name. Best laughed and promised the reporter that he would nutmeg Cruyff at the first opportunity. A legnagyobb célom az, hogy apám azt gondolja, hogy én vagyok a legjobb, és azt hiszi. Commenting on The Irish Times has changed. 'Outstanding,' came the answer. You should receive instructions for resetting your password. Blanchflower had been Footballer of the Year in 1958 and 1961 and Pat Jennings, goalkeeper on the night, won the award in 1973. Recalling that Blanchflower had invoked Martin Luther King when he had been appointed four months earlier, it quoted the new manager in his pre-match press address: “We in Irish football must be dreamers, dreamers that we can beat all opposition. Best had been brilliant. In the Belfast Telegraph, Malcolm Brodie accepted his logic had been swept away by Blanchflower’s vision. As he ran round to collect it and run on he raised his right fist into the air. Create a free family tree for yourself or for George Fraser and we’ll search for valuable new information for you. Even now I’ve got goosepimples telling you about it.”. But when the Irish squad assembled in their hotel on the Sunday night before the midweek match – in the bar – Spence was talking to his room-mate Jimmy Nicholl when he felt a presence beside him. Blanchflower being Blanchflower, there would be no routine comments about lads giving their all or a game of two halves. George Best, who died yesterday aged 59, was the outstanding British footballer of any generation; the mercurial Manchester United … Please enter your email address so we can send you a link to reset your password. Best player ever and this was said by Pele himself. Nem fejezheti be a fejét. Get started Geni World Family Tree. A legjobb küzdelemben harcolt a futball tetejére és megkapta. Best: [Laughing] You’re kidding aren’t you? 1. Danny’s message was that if you can dribble with two balls, then you can definitely dribble with one. In fact, Blanchflower, who had promised to attack at all costs, sent out his team in a 4-2-4 formation at Feyenoord’s stadium. To comment you must now be an Irish Times subscriber. He is 67 now, still in Blackpool. Best, a man who burned as many bridges as he built, is a player for which the world is a quieter place without. Spence watched on as, true to Blanchflower’s word, the Irish attacked. Johan Cruyff passed away at his family home, in Barcelona, this morning. Nine Irishmen make The Telegraph's Top 50 Manchester United players ever, The real reason behind James Maddison's remarkable football boots. Enjoy the best George Best Quotes at BrainyQuote. He is described by the national team's governing body, the Irish Football … George Best, mint más híres brit játékosok is, komoly problémákat szenvedett az ivással. Not even the presence of a poet in the dugout and prince on the pitch brought confidence, though. A short video showcasing George Best's amazing dribbling skills. ", "Never once did he make it about himself. Danny just looked the other way.”. “I told him I’d met him outside his boutique in Manchester in 1970. Your screen name should follow the standards set out in our. “I had good players around me – Charlie Cooke, George Best, all of these players – and putting the ball in the net was easy for me at the time,” David said. Las mejores citas pronunciadas por George Best son las siguientes. It was a conflict between emotion and logic. But they were teammates and in the practice match arranged on the Monday against Luton Town, Best said Spence should count the number of nutmegs. George Best. Quotations by George Best, Irish Athlete, Born May 22, 1946. “What a week. And a night where George Best and Johan Cruyff graced the same elevated stage. Spence says Best produced a wad of notes from a pocket to buy the round – “I’d never seen such money” – and Spence then proceeded to tell Best they had met before. Jimmy said to him: ‘George, this is Derek Spence.’”. PIC: Say what? Then Blanchflower turned to Spence and said: “‘Get warmed up.’ Me! Armando Angulo 1 February 23, 2016 In the mid-to-late-seventies, well before the time of Robbie Keane, David Beckham, or Steven Gerrard, there was a star-studded revolution culminating in Los Angeles. Zawsze powtarzałem: nigdy nie będzie dobrego trenera bez dobrych zawodników, ani też dobrych zawodników bez dobrego trenera. there was a barmaid, stunning, and all the lads were there, as you might expect. George just sat in the corner, didn’t speak to her. After four minutes, Chris McGrath put them one up. On Thursday he was collected in London by Blackpool and made his Tangerine debut on the Saturday, a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Four-four-two, it was not. Best grinned and said Cruyff was an amazing player but, He was the better of the two. “Danny was a revolutionary. Only a footballing necromancer could be a star, an addict and a true force in the game. George Best, Johan Cruyff, & The Los Angeles Aztecs.