Source: Stockport Express
It was the Best of times, it was the worst of times - town pays tribute
EDGELEY Park erupted into spontaneous cheers on Saturday as fans of FC United and Cheadle Town said goodbye to George Best.
A bumper gate of 3,373 gave the Old Trafford legend a rousing send off on the ground where he played three matches for Stockport County in 1975.
As silences were observed around the country, including County’s game at Mansfield, the people of Stockport paid their respects to ‘Georgie’ by laying flowers outside his former home in Bramhall and shirts and cards outside Edgeley Park.
Emotions ran high inside the ground, particularly with so many Manchester United followers present. And For Cheadle Town's chairman it was a poignant moment, having watched Best's first ever United match against West Brom in September 1963.
Chris Davies said: "It started with a silence for about 15-20 seconds and it just erupted into a clap and people started chanting his name.
"I saw most of the halcyon days of George Best, he was a tremendous player."
Julian Spencer, FC United spokesman, said that it was ‘a very emotional’ day.
He added: "We are all still Manchester United fans. Unfortunately some of us are a bit too young to have seen him play but many people have said that he’s the greatest player that these shores have produced.
"There are going to be a million and one ideas as to how best to commemorate his life."
Des Hinks, County spokesman, added: "We were all deeply saddened by the loss of George. He increased the gates five fold for his first appearance for Stockport County and was a class above, there was no question about that. In the fourth division his talent shone out like a beacon."
George Best died on Friday of multiple organ failure at London’s Cromwell Hospital. He will be buried in his home town of Belfast this Saturday, December 3. after a funeral service at Stormont.
First published by the Stockport Express
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