Soccer in the 1970s: Los Angeles Aztecs players John Marsh, Bernie Fagan, Bob McAlinden, George Sorjic, George Best and Charlie Cooke line up for pre-game introductions at El Camino College.
The George Best Testimonial match from this date in 1988. Hard to believe it is 36 years ago! A fantastic array of footballing talent turned out to give George a fantastic night in front of a bumper crowd at Windsor Park.
NASL Dateline: On 15 August 1981, San Jose Earthquakes midfielder George Best scored the 54th and final goal of his NASL career in a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Sockers before 14,345 at Spartan Stadium.
NASL Dateline: On 17 August 1977, George Best led 5 different scorers as the Los Angeles Aztecs eliminated the Dallas Tornado in the 2nd round of the NASL Playoffs with a 5-1 win before 18,489 at Ownby Stadium.
Best, Eusebio, Rossi, Cruijff, Socrates, Yashin; Puskas, Maradona, Muller, Facchetti, Moore: #respect for this legendary XI
Fundraiser by Ane Mihailovich : Multi Sports Pitch Fundraiser (gofundme.com) Hello, I am Ane Mihailovich and I had the pleasure of playing football for LA Aztecs and San José Earthquakes with the greatest footballer the world has ever seen, the legendary George Best. Pele said he was the best and that's good enough for me. The Primary School that George attended in Belfast needs some help. Their pitch is in an awful condition, even more so when it rains. The condition of the pitch is now so poor that it cannot be rented out to local people and clubs resulting in a loss of money for the school. People now have to travel 50 miles to use something similar. The school children are suffering because of the state of the pitch, unable to participate in events safely. I want to help the school in memory of my team mate and good friend George Best.
Bobby Sibbald, Terry Mancini, Phil Beal, Bernie Fagan, George Best, Charlie Cooke, Martin Cohen, Ron Davies, Steve David, Bob McAlinden
Soccer in the 1970s: George Best, Bob McAlinden and Bob Sibbald lead the Los Angeles Aztecs in training at the memorial Coliseum.
NASL Memories: Bobby Hope was a Scotland international who balanced a standout English league career with 4 excellent loan seasons to NASL clubs. Born on 28 September 1943, Hope (pictured at right next to George Best) was a 5-foot-8 inside forward who scored 33 goals in 336 appearances for West Bromwich Albion -- winning the 1966 League Cup and the 1968 FA Cup in the process -- then transferred to Birmingham City and spent 4 loan seasons in the NASL, contributing 7 goals and 30 assists in 80 games with the Philadelphia Atoms (1975) and Dallas Tornado (1976-78), earning all-NASL honors in 1975 and 1976. Sadly, Hope passed away earlier this year at the age of 77.