[GreatBriton]

Best's Hours Are Numbered, Says Doctor



Final hours: George Best remains in intensive care but there is no hope for his recovery




Football legend George Best is losing his battle for life, his doctor says.

Professor Roger Williams said: "I am afraid Mr Best is coming to the end of the long road of his ill-health.''

Speaking outside London's Cromwell Hospital, he told reporters: "He is still alive, he is still having standard medical care and treatment, but I have to tell you that his hours are numbered now and it's all very upsetting for all of us who look after Mr Best.''

Prof Williams added: "I can't be precise as to time, but it is the final stages of this illness and I am afraid he could die at any time over the next 24 hours.

"I would be very surprised if he survives another 24 hours.''

Best is being treated in the intensive care unit at the private hospital after he suffered a lung infection.

Overnight his condition deteriorated and Prof Williams said there was no longer anything doctors could do.

Clearly upset, Prof Williams, who has been overseeing Best's treatment, said: "The situation is that, medically, the intensive care team and everybody concerned have managed to cope with pretty well all the complications except the one that's happened again during the night, which you know about, this bleeding, which, though it has been replaced, is now affecting the lungs and other parts.

"There is really no return from that situation. It's just not possible to recover from that episode he had during the night and he is now facing.''

The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had a controversial liver transplant in 2002 after his existing liver failed following years of alcohol abuse.

Best, who ignored pleas to stay off the booze after the operation, was admitted to the Cromwell on October 1 suffering from a flu-like infection.

His health deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection, but he then rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of last Friday, when he suffered a severe setback.

He developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care but remained alert.

However, his condition worsened again on Tuesday night.

Best's son, Calum, 24, his father, Dickie, 87, and other family members are at his bedside.

Prof Williams said: "I think they accept what is going to happen.''

AOL News.

[DerbyX]

I know who George Best is and so does Eyebrock and probably Xerxes but who else do you think does? No offence but this isn't exactly the forum for a memorial to a world cup hero.

[IcedCap]

DerbyX wrote:

I know who George Best is and so does Eyebrock and probably Xerxes but who else do you think does? No offence but this isn't exactly the forum for a memorial to a world cup hero.

Its the sports forum of course its the place besides he enever made it to a World Cup. Personally I have no sympathy for someone who has a liver transplant and then carries on boozing.

[DerbyX]

Sorry, I meant to say European cup.

[LABBATTS50]

Post a similar article on UnitedKingdomKA about the plight of Theo Fleury!!!
LOL

[GreatBriton]

Best at his best
As a footballer, Best helped Manchester United to the First Division in 1965 and 1967, and the European Cup in 1968. He was also crowned European and English footballer of the year.
Photograph: PA.
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Summer of 1969
But by his early 20s alcohol was an ever-present in Best's life. Describing his own lifestyle, he famously said: "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered."
Photograph: PA.
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Northampton hit for six
When United beat Northampton 8-2 in the fifth round of the cup in September 1970, Best scored six. But he was already on the slide.
Photograph: PA.
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Best from 1972
By the early 1970s, Best's form was suffering from a constant mix of benders and beauties. "I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep," he chuckled. Photograph: AP
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Playing for LA Aztecs in 1978
After being sacked by United for excessive drinking and persistent failure to attend training and matches in 1974, Best drifted between several clubs including Fulham, Stockport County, Dunstable Town, Hibernian, Los Angeles Aztecs, San Jose Earthquakes and finally Bournemouth. Photograph: Getty.
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A sick man
Best's abuse of alcohol became worse after he retired in 1983. In 1984, Best received a three-month prison sentence for drink-driving, assaulting a police officer and failing to answer bail. In 1991, he caused a public outcry when he appeared drunk on Wogan.
Photograph: Peter Jordan/PA.
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Cromwell Hospital
After weeks fighting a severe infection, George Best is close to death in intensive care at a West London hospital.
Photograph: Michael Stephens/PA.
----------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles AZTECS? San Jose EARTHQUAKES? Why do North American teams of any sport have stupid names? Those two are almost as bad as Anaheim Mighty Ducks or Toronto Maple Leafs (spelt wrongly).

What's wrong with Anaheim City, or San Jose United?

Our teams are just good old plain Fulham, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Mansfield Town.

[LABBATTS50]

Does the "United" mean they are all gay like most things Euro?

Mighty Ducks is Bad, but don't mess with the history of the leafs

[Hester]

GreatBriton wrote:

Los Angeles AZTECS? San Jose EARTHQUAKES? Why do North American teams of any sport have stupid names? Those two are almost as bad as Anaheim Mighty Ducks or Toronto Maple Leafs (spelt wrongly).

What's wrong with Anaheim City, or San Jose United?

Our teams are just good old plain Fulham, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Mansfield Town.

Why are you getting angry? You're posting on the wrong site again.

[GreatBriton]

George Best has died.


George Best, one of the most dazzling players in football history, who also revelled in a hard-drinking, playboy lifestyle, has died after a long battle against illness.

Best passed away in the intensive care unit at 12.55pm in the Cromwell Hospital in west London.

"After a long and very valiant fight, Mr George Best died this afternoon in the intensive care unit at Cromwell Hospital," the hospital said in a statement.

"The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best's family at this time.''

Best had suffered multiple organ failure and spent his final hours in hospital surrounded by his loved ones. His family, including son, Calum, 24, and father, Dickie, 87, had kept an all-night vigil at his bedside.

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Calum Best said: "Not only have I lost my dad, but we have all lost a wonderful man and I would like to take the time to thank Professor Williams and Dr Akeel (Alisa) and everyone here at the Cromwell Hospital for doing everything they can do, and all the well-wishers and friends and letters and flowers and emails - it all means so much to all of us.''

Best will be buried in Belfast in one of the biggest funerals the city has ever seen.

The soccer legend's agent Phil Hughes confirmed that the player will be taken to the family plot at Roselawn Cemetery in the Castlereagh hills above East Belfast, where his mother Ann was laid to rest.

Mr Hughes said: "It will definitely be in Belfast, that's where George told me he always wanted it.

"When the subject came up, his father Dickie said to me he would like to take him home to Belfast. It was both their wishes, and there's no one will stand between them."

Arrangements have still to be finalised, but it is expected that the funeral could be held in a week's time.

Best, who had a liver transplant three years ago, had been in hospital since October 1 because of a reaction to medication to control his alcoholism.

He appeared close to death last month when doctors discovered internal bleeding and put him on life support.

His health deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection, but he then rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of Friday last week when he suffered a severe setback.

He developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care, but remained alert.

His condition deteriorated further on Wednesday night after which his consultant, Professor Roger Williams, said there was no longer anything doctors could do.

[GreatBriton]

George's Best quotes



Remarkable ... Best had great wit




GEORGE Best was as famous for his colourful remarks as his football, booze and women. Here are some of the best.

ON THE NIGHT HE WON THE 1968 EUROPEAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR AWARD: “Me and a mate picked up two darling birds and they took us back to their flat.

“I went into the bedroom with my bird and she started getting undressed. I was that drunk I was standing there wondering how to get undressed without letting go of the award.

“I went to sit on the bed, missed it by four feet and ended up lying on the floor.

“I remember the bird looking down at me, starkers, and saying, ‘Some player of the year.’ Then I fell asleep. I woke up still clutching my award and staggered out of the flat. I hadn’t a bloody clue where I was.”

ON BOOZING: “I did most of my drinking on my own. Often I’d spend hours sitting in a corner. I’d drink and when I’d had enough I’d just get up and go home to bed.

“I never went out in the morning with the intention of getting drunk. It just happened.”

“When I finished playing I tried to find something to replace that buzz. Maybe I thought drinking made me feel good.”

“I’ve stopped drinking, but only while I’m asleep.”





ON FAME: “I was probably the first footballer ever to have a pop star profile and my agent was right when he said we could put my name on stair rods and sell them to people in bungalows.”

“It got so bad that I was afraid to go near the windows and I couldn’t get away without a police escort. It was like being a prisoner.”

ON HIS ENEMIES: “Even at the height of my fame, 50 per cent of the people who saw me wanted a fight — it’s the downside of being a star player.”

“I’d have to be superman to do some of the things I’m supposed to have done, I’ve been at six different places at six different times.”

ON DAVID BECKHAM: “Beckham cannot kick with his left foot, can’t head the ball, can’t tackle and he doesn’t score enough goals. Otherwise he’s all right.”

ON RETIRING YOUNG: “My one big regret is that I didn’t play on for 10 more years.”

ON HIS DECLINE AT UNITED: “By the time I was 25 I felt the team was in decline and alcohol was taking over. For three years I was out every night and gambling became a drug, too.”

thesun.co.uk