A special edition of the popular "Those Were The Days" articles - a special tribute to George Best

Coming from our feature writer David A Wood

In marking the passing of George Best, thisisthebarmyarmy.co.uk and all involved with the web site particularly our readers would send their deepest sympathy to Calum, Mr Best Snr, his sisters and the wider family and friends.

I was most fortunate to see Georgie Best play, both at Leeds Road and Old Trafford. Indeed in that first meeting with the Red Devils upon our promotion back to the big time of the 1st Division exactly 25 years ago today, 28/11/1970, my vivid memory of the 1-1 draw was how well our number 3 Geoff Hutt (my mum’s favourite) played the wee Irishman.

The game was a testimony to our newly promoted Terriers for the point won was no less than they deserved and we left with our heads held high. We had been to Old Trafford and played the mighty Manchester United and more than matched them, this with players like George Best in their side.

It was a dream come true for us Town fans for the Belfast boy was all everyone ever said about him. He could run with the ball, dribble, tackle, score goals with both feet and with his head, his balance was amazing – even ‘Chopper’ Harris of Chelsea FC fame could not upset him once George was on his way!

At the outset people thought of him as right footed later in his career left footed when all he had done was extra training with a slipper on his right peg to ensure he used his left just as much and as well. Talent in abundance yet he would work and train, he loved his football and it showed for watching him brought tears to your eyes, as much as to defenders, he was that good.

In a home International against Wales he could be seen encouraging his opponent to come on, make a play for the ball. I think that man in the red shirt was none other than ‘Taff’; what is certain that whilst Georgie was doing this, one of his team mates, in the No 6 shirt was making a run outside him and encouraging a pass down the flank.

That Irishman was none other than our Jimmy Nicholson, he would make similar runs with the same result quite a few times more in his International career.

On many occasions when someone passes away, their talent seems to improve and increase. We see them as someone even greater than before.

George Best in life where football was concerned was the greatest.

HE was quite rightly a ‘Legend’.

In death it is impossible to increase his stature for he was "Simply the Best".

We hope you have enjoyed our "Those Were The Days" articles, and find them an interesting look at some special memories of Town through the years. Memories that will not, and can not be forgotten - and memories only our beloved Town could have created