Memory Lane George Best at Roots Hall?

[Herne Bay shrimper]

Evening all,

A colleague at work mentioned a few photos he had of his time in the 1980s - including a few shots of our beloved Roots Hall - and admittedly it was before my time (and before I was born), but I think a few might be interested to see the shots - these are the ones of Besty playing, but can anyone tell us any more about the game? He couldn't remember a thing, and as it was 2 years before I was born, I certainly don't remember!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Reserve game for Bournemouth wasn't it?

 

[C C Csiders]

The game was against Bournemouth and all I really recall is a somewhat portly Best attempting to score from the kick-off. It was the latest and last of his comebacks, I believe. Although he also made a brief comeback with Hibernian whuch may have been just before or after the Bournemouth one.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Nope it was a league match v Bournemouth and it was the same day as the League Cup Final. Some fans were shouting the Cup Final score to Best during the match as it was Man United v (I cant remember!).

The season was 1982/3 score was 0-0 and George Best's appearance boosted the crowd to 4,275 If I remember free silk scarves were given out to fans.

 

[C C Csiders]

Reserve game for Bournemouth wasn't it?

No it was a league encounter.

 

[AndyT]

Great photos they are.

St George's Tavern advert behind him seems very apt.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Nope it was a league match v Bournemouth and it was the same day as the League Cup Final. Some fans were shouting the Cup Final score to Best during the match as it was Man United v (I cant remember!).

The score was 0-0 and George Best's appearance boosted the crowd to 4,275 If I remember free silk scarves were given out to fans.

Ah, I stand corrected.

Am I mixing this story with another one about another star who did play in the reserves at Roots Hall as part of a comeback?

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Ah, I stand corrected.

Am I mixing this story with another one about another star who did play in the reserves at Roots Hall as part of a comeback?

Yep probably.

Just looked it wasn't the League Cup final that day, it was FA Cup Semi Final Man United v Arsenal. Youngsters these days wouldn't believe that big games in those days were not live on TV

The Southend players in the background look like Mickey Stead (2), Steve Phillips (8) & Tony Hadley not sure who is in the tracksuit it may be Glenn Pennyfather?

There might be some fans that recognise themselves as well? I was in the South Bank that day probably not far from whoever took the photos.

Has he got anymore photos?

 

[Special Blue]

You've certainly come to the right place,Some people on here have amazing memories.
I however am not one! Never seen them pictures only one of him playing in a friendly for Fulham IIRC.
I do know He lived in the town for a short while (Stornoway Rd, I believe) not sure exactly when.

 

[shallowshrimper]

Ah, I stand corrected.

Am I mixing this story with another one about another star who did play in the reserves at Roots Hall as part of a comeback?

I seem to remember a very long time ago Rodney Marsh making a come back from injury and playing in a QPR reserve team at Roots Hall. I think QPR brought about 3000 with them for the occasion. I cant remember the score or the year but would guess late sixties or early seventies.

Well that's made me feel very old and a bit fed up.:cricko:

 

[Barling Magna]

I'm pretty sure that I saw that match v Bournemouth, but my mind may be playing tricks.

I do remember going to Swindon's County Ground in the late 70s while visiting a friend and watching Swindon play Fulham. The Fulham team included George Best, Bobby Moore, Rodney Marsh and Alan Mullery. They don't make teams like that anymore!!

 

[LCBB72]

Remember it well , George was turning Micky Stead inside out when he got the ball , I think that George boosted the gate by about 50 people not like the old Days when he would add 10,000 to any gate .

 

[LCBB72]

I seem to remember a very long time ago Rodney Marsh making a come back from injury and playing in a QPR reserve team at Roots Hall. I think QPR brought about 3000 with them for the occasion. I cant remember the score or the year but would guess late sixties or early seventies.

Well that's made me feel very old and a bit fed up.:cricko:

Rodnee Rodnee Rodnee .

 

[OldBlueLady]

This is where I miss Harry, he'd have had crystal clear memories of all this!

 

[Firestorm]

This is where I miss Harry, he'd have had crystal clear memories of all this!

Harry was standing next to me during the game, Not that I remember, but neither of us missed a home game that season, or.a few after.

 

[Herne Bay shrimper]

A fascinating bit of our club's history - he had a few other shots of the game, including some shots of a very unfamiliar (to me) South Bank - I'll get them from him tomorrow and put them up!

 

[AndyT]

^
Great stuff.

Love old shots of the South Bank in all it's glory.

Do miss those days of standing right at the top there watching the games.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

I was one of the 4,275! I extended my Easter hol from my final Uni year at Plymouth just to see it. The only thing I remember about the game was it was cack.

I also recall seeing Bobby Charlton play for PNE at Roots when he was their player manager - Sir Bob's presence did put about 4,000 on that gate. Stuart Brace scored for us (prob from his customary two foot out). Happy days.

 

[Bolton Shrimper]

League game v Bournemouth. A very overweight and unfit looking George tried hard for the first 5 mins then completely faded out of the game. I think he was subbed. Don't think he played again.

 

[AndyT]

I also recall seeing Bobby Charlton play for PNE at Roots when he was their player manager - Sir Bob's presence did put about 4,000 on that gate. Stuart Brace scored for us (prob from his customary two foot out). Happy days.

I was there that day.

1974-75 season, IIRC. I've still got the programme with the football boot in the top left hand corner.