George Best’s return to English football in the late summer of 1976 caused a sensation. The fact that he was signing for Second Division Fulham was something of a surprise. There was no doubt that the mercurial Northern Ireland winger was not the player that mesmerised defenders and crowds alike during his glorious decade at Manchester United – he was undoubtedly slower and shorn of game time – but he had lost none of the characteristic swagger.
Best certainly brought the crowds back to Craven Cottage. More than 21,000 fans packed into Fulham’s historic home to see him make his first appearance for the club in a Second Division meeting with Bristol Rovers. The home side certainly had some star quality, with England’s World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore at the heart of the defence, and Rodney Marsh, who had also returned from America, beginning a second spell at the club. It took Best just 77 seconds to steal the show, scoring the only goal of a game and making a dream start to his spell in south west London.
Best’s Fulham career was short and sweet. There were moments of magic – like a glorious 30-yard volley against Peterborough United in the League Cup and when he tackled Marsh during a victory over Hereford – and madness, such as his sending off at Southampton that sparked the beginning of the end and the fines that followed his absences from training. He did return from a spell out of the side to inspire a fine 3-1 win against Chelsea to ease Fulham’s relegation worries, but headed back to the United States after a fitful third season with the club.
GOD
What a player
In my opinion he was one of the greatest
I did have the privilege to meet him
What a talent and didn’t fall over for nothing like the present mob, if Grealish (Ring a ring a roses, all fall down”) is worth £100million, what would Best cost in today’s market. Shame about his personal demons but lived up to his name….BEST, he was
Remember it well I was directly behind the goal when he scored.
He played in ploughed fields in the winter and got little help from referees when players constantly tried to chop him down and still could dance around players with ease What a super star he was
Best says it all
I think he played 47 games so not a bad stretch with FFC.
Saw the goal at Peterborough – unbelievable – like a training ground keepy uppy and then bang – top corner!!
That was a time for entertainers. Best,and Marsh had charisma.
You left the ground smiling.
Seen him playing for Hibernian in 78 he was still miles ahead of everybody on the pitch , just the most gifted player ever there won’t be another.
I was lucky enough to be there
I remember it as well. Eric Steele was a very good keeper but couldn’t get back in time to stop a piece of magic for The Best