GEORGE BEST is to be posthumously honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Britain at the prestigious Irish Post Awards 2015, 10 years after his death.
His son, Calum Best, will attend on the evening to accept the award on his behalf.
Described by the Irish Football Association as “the greatest player to every pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland”, and by Pelé as “the greatest player in the world”, the Northern Ireland and Manchester United football player is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Between 1963 and 1974, he made 470 appearances and scored 179 goals for Manchester United.
But 1968 proved to be the epoch of Best’s career. As part of the 'Holy Trinity' of Best, Denis Law, and Bobby Charlton, he led Manchester United to the European Cup trophy.
In the semi-final against Real Madrid, he scored the winning goal, while in the final he scored in extra time.
He was also named the European Footballer of the Year, winning him the Ballon D’or, and became the youngest-ever FWA Footballer of the Year.
Calum Best, will attend The Irish Post Awards to accept a posthumous Award on behalf of his father George. Picture: Getty ImagesGeoffrey Green of The Times described him as “the centrepiece of the chessboard ... a player full of fantasy; a player who lent magic to what might have been whimsy”.
Two years later, he scored a double hat-trick against Northampton Town - on the basis of these six goals, Prime Minister Harold Wilson – who had also sent Best fan mail – invited him to 10 Downing Street.
The Irish Post Awards is an annual gala dinner and awards evening hosted by The Irish Post, the biggest-selling newspaper and daily website for the Irish in Britain.
The annual event will be held at The London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday, October 23, with Eamonn Holmes acting as the Master of Ceremonies.
Among the 2015 recipients announced to date are Brian and Luke Comer of The Comer Group, who will receive an Award for their Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain .
Other awards to be announced include the Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Contribution to the Film & Television Industry, Company of the Year and The Irish Post Community Award.
Last year, the Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Britain Award was given to Liam Brady, the former midfielder for Arsenal and Republic of Ireland.
Acclaimed actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers received the Legend Award.
