Stephen Doherty was just five when he saw George Best play for Manchester United against his local team Northampton. It was a 1970 FA Cup tie and the final score was 8-2.
"Georgie scored six goals. It was his biggest ever tally in a game," said Mr Doherty, who now lives in Lucan, Co Dublin.
"I'll never forget his skill. He had everything. He scored with both feet. He took on six players and beat them all . . . I've been a United supporter ever since."
Such memories help to explain the enduring appeal of "Bestie", the Belfast-born soccer star who might have hung up his boots 30 years ago but can still pull a crowd. "He's simply a legend," said Mr Doherty who was among dozens of people who queued at Eason's book store in O'Connell Street, Dublin, from early yesterday to meet Best at a signing of his latest autobiography entitled Blessed.
The crowd of up to 200 was only a fraction of that which greeted Manchester United's current idol, David Beckham, at the same store last year. There was no army of fainting teenagers at yesterday's event. Best posed for photographs with his wife, Alex, before a brief quizzing by reporters on contemporary football matters.
He declared the Republic of Ireland "a cert" for this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Iran, predicting a 3-0 home win.
Blessed, published by Ebury Press, is priced £17.99 in the UK.
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