NASL Dateline: On 17 April 1976, superstar George Best made his NASL debut with the Los Angeles Aztecs in a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes before 19,807 at Spartan Stadium. Over the next 6 seasons, Best would amass 54 goals and 54 assists to finish as the 23rd leading scorer in NASL history. This was his first exhibition game for the Aztecs at the Claremont Colleges
Peter Beardsley (below right tangling with Best) scored 3 goals for the Vancouver whitecaps against the San Jose Earthquakes. After the game George Best asked him what part of Canda he was from…. Beardsley then answered, “I’m from Newcastle”! After that Best set him up to tryout with Manchester United. That is a true story!
Manchester United winger George Best against Coventry City wing half David Clements, at Old Trafford 30th March 1970.
George Best's Windsor Park Testimonial (1988). Back Row - Emlyn Hughes, Paul Breitner, Dave Watson, Ruud Krol, Michael O'Neill. Front Row - Chris Hughton, Frank McAvennie, Pat Jennings, George Best, Liam Brady and Willie Henderson.
NASL Dateline: On 15 May 1981, George Best scored his 2nd game-winner of the season as the San Jose Earthquakes edged the California Surf, 2-1, before 25,230 at Anaheim Stadium
Soccer in the 1970s: Limited by injuries and egos, Fort Lauderdale Strikers teammates George Best and Gerd Müller enjoyed an uneasy alliance in the 19 games they overlapped during the 1979 NASL season.
Happy heavenly birthday maestro! Incomparable Thats my hero in the frame He always was and shall remain The greatest player since the war Including during and before. Pictures hanging on my wall Portray perfection on the ball And can produce a tearful eye In reminiscing days gone by. But rest assured I always smile For one brief moment just a while I'm standing at the Stretford End And George impossible to defend Cannot be mastered or be tamed Best indeed so aptly named.....
Τhe Northern Irish GEORGE BEST shone like a Golden God in world football. He was and will be the best player ever born!!!
NASL Memories: George Best's quiet homelife with his wife, Angie, and their son, Callum, in San Jose lasted just 2 NASL seasons (1980-81) and marked the end of his North American adventure.
NASL Dateline: On 25 June 1978, George Best (pictured) and David Irving each scored 2 goals and Ray Hudson added a solo tally as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers downed the New York Cosmos, 5-3, before 13,569 at Lockhart Stadium.
NASL Action: Los Angeles Aztecs forward George Best goes up for a header against San Jose Earthquakes defender John Rowlands at Spartan Stadium. NASL Dateline: On 26 June 1977, Pelé scored the 3rd and final hat trick of his NASL career and cancelled out goals by George Best and Steve David as the New York Cosmos downed the Los Angeles Aztecs, 5-2, before 57,191 at Giants Stadium.
EarthQuake Country from June 1981. Cover photo shows George Best sitting among youth players at Camp Gityurkiks. Contents include an announcement about new additions to the San Jose Earthquakes #14 midfielder Mark Lindsay and #25 forward Mark Liveric, a report on what's happening in the NASL, a story on former Quake Paul Child returning to Spartan Stadium as an Atlanta Chief, a description of the June schedule, a announcement that the Quakes youth soccer camp is underway with George Best one of the coaches, a report on the 1992 Spain World Cup, a column on youth soccer in the Bay Area, and congratulations to April player of the month #20 forward Gary Etherington and to May player of the month #11 midfielder George Best.
Which of the kids in the pic is you? Or were you sitting just out of the camera’s view there? GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
"The Oval" East Belfast August 1982 Aged 36, George Best made his one and only appearance for the team he had supported as a boy. Glentoran FC. Before Best signed for United as a 15 year old he had a trial with Glentoran but got rejected as they believed him to be too lightweight to make it as a pro footballer. The great Matt Busby knew better! George is pictured here in the famous colours of the East Belfast club in a pre season friendly Manchester United.
George Best, Workington FC. 1986 Survival Match to raise funds to save the club. George made a habit of playing in testimonials and charity matches at the end of his career, a point that is often missed by his critics. George played for over 60 different clubs and played league football on 5 different continents between the mid 1960s and the early 1990s. A legend of the game. NASL Fabs: George Best / San Jose Earthquakes
Did You Know? When George Best and Rodney Marsh decided to join pal Bobby Moore at 2nd Division Fulham to pass the time during the 1976-77 NASL off-season, they figured it would be fun. To be sure, their $500 per match salaries helped, and Best scored just 77 seconds into his debut. But injuries and suspensions - coupled with Best getting into a car accident outside Harrod's department store that required 55 stitches to his head - limited the trio to just 15 games together and ended the experiment after one fitful season.