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17/04/2008
Dickie Best Passes On
The father of the legendary Belfast soccer star, the late George Best, has died at the age of 88.
Dickie Best had been in hospital for the past four weeks.
His family, who were with him when he passed away at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, have described him as "irreplaceable".
"Over the years, as everyone knows, Dad had his sorrows to bear but he faced them always with courage and dignity," a family statement said.
"He was a man who took great joy and pride in his family. He was an irreplaceable father whose bravery, integrity, wisdom and above all love shaped our lives," the family's statement concluded.
Dickie was an iconic figure, who as the father of Northern Ireland and Manchester United football legend, showed great dignity and presence at the time of his son’s early death.
East Belfast MP, Peter Robinson, said he was greatly saddened by news of the death of Dickie Best.
Mr Robinson said that the news will be a great loss to east Belfast: "The manner in which Mr Best coped with the death of his legendary son, George, in 2005, was an inspiration to us all. His passing - aged 88 - will be a further blow to the family and friends," said the Westminster MP.
In extending his sympathy on behalf of the people of east Belfast to the Best family, Mr Robinson agreed with their earlier comments and also said: "Dickie Best was indeed an irreplaceable father whose love for his family and for the east Belfast he grew up and spent his life in was something to be praised."
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Jim Rodgers, described Mr Best as "one of life's true gentlemen".
George Best died in 2005 aged 59 after a long battle with alcoholism
(BMcC)
Dickie Best had been in hospital for the past four weeks.
His family, who were with him when he passed away at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, have described him as "irreplaceable".
"Over the years, as everyone knows, Dad had his sorrows to bear but he faced them always with courage and dignity," a family statement said.
"He was a man who took great joy and pride in his family. He was an irreplaceable father whose bravery, integrity, wisdom and above all love shaped our lives," the family's statement concluded.
Dickie was an iconic figure, who as the father of Northern Ireland and Manchester United football legend, showed great dignity and presence at the time of his son’s early death.
East Belfast MP, Peter Robinson, said he was greatly saddened by news of the death of Dickie Best.
Mr Robinson said that the news will be a great loss to east Belfast: "The manner in which Mr Best coped with the death of his legendary son, George, in 2005, was an inspiration to us all. His passing - aged 88 - will be a further blow to the family and friends," said the Westminster MP.
In extending his sympathy on behalf of the people of east Belfast to the Best family, Mr Robinson agreed with their earlier comments and also said: "Dickie Best was indeed an irreplaceable father whose love for his family and for the east Belfast he grew up and spent his life in was something to be praised."
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Jim Rodgers, described Mr Best as "one of life's true gentlemen".
George Best died in 2005 aged 59 after a long battle with alcoholism
(BMcC)
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21 March 2006
City airport to be renamed in honour of George Best
Belfast City Airport is to be renamed as a tribute to soccer legend George Best. The announcement made today followed a number of discussions with members of the Best family.
City airport to be renamed in honour of George Best
Belfast City Airport is to be renamed as a tribute to soccer legend George Best. The announcement made today followed a number of discussions with members of the Best family.
02 March 2006
George Best memorial plans underway
The development of a lasting memorial for soccer legend George Best is underway, following the establishment of a working group who will consider ideas and make recommendations on the way forward.
George Best memorial plans underway
The development of a lasting memorial for soccer legend George Best is underway, following the establishment of a working group who will consider ideas and make recommendations on the way forward.
03 April 2002
Castlereagh honours famous son George Best
Northern Ireland’s most famous footballer, George Best, has received the Freedom of the Borough from Castlereagh Council. The Manchester United legend was born in east Belfast, and growing up he played football in the fields outside the Best family home in Cregagh.
Castlereagh honours famous son George Best
Northern Ireland’s most famous footballer, George Best, has received the Freedom of the Borough from Castlereagh Council. The Manchester United legend was born in east Belfast, and growing up he played football in the fields outside the Best family home in Cregagh.
30 November 2005
Tens of thousands expected for Best funeral
Tens of thousands of people are expected to line Belfast's streets at the weekend to pay their final respects to football legend George Best who is due to be buried on Saturday. The 59-year-old former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star died last Friday following a short illness.
Tens of thousands expected for Best funeral
Tens of thousands of people are expected to line Belfast's streets at the weekend to pay their final respects to football legend George Best who is due to be buried on Saturday. The 59-year-old former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star died last Friday following a short illness.
05 January 2006
Best memorial given the go ahead
Plans to build a memorial for the late George Best have been given the go ahead at a meeting in Belfast last night. The proposal received unanimous support from councillors who had already backed the scheme to recognise the outstanding contribution the soccer legend made to sport in Northern Ireland.
Best memorial given the go ahead
Plans to build a memorial for the late George Best have been given the go ahead at a meeting in Belfast last night. The proposal received unanimous support from councillors who had already backed the scheme to recognise the outstanding contribution the soccer legend made to sport in Northern Ireland.
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