George Best (1963-1974, Manchester United)

George Best was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, he is a founding inductee.

George Best was a Northern Irish winger widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted footballers ever to play the game. Born in Belfast on 22 May 1946, he was spotted by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop at the age of 15, who sent a now legendary telegram to manager Matt Busby that read simply: “I think I’ve found you a genius.”

Best made his First Division debut for United in September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford, aged 17. He went on to score 179 goals in 470 appearances for the club, winning two First Division titles in 1964-65 and 1966-67. His greatest moment came in the 1968 European Cup Final at Wembley, where he scored once as United beat Benfica 4-1 after extra time, becoming the first English club to win the competition.

Named both FWA Footballer of the Year and European Footballer of the Year in 1968, Best was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals. He is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have appeared at a World Cup. He left Manchester United in January 1974 and died on 25 November 2005, aged 59.

George Best – Rookie Cards and Significant Others

George Best’s rookie card is the 1964 Barratt & Co. Famous Footballers Series A12 #29, issued early in his United career following his debut in September 1963. The Barratt A12 set is among the most sought-after British football card issues of the 1960s and Best’s card is one of the standout inclusions from the series.

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Best’s most significant cards come from the period surrounding Manchester United’s 1968 European Cup triumph.

The 1967 A&BC Star Players set and the 1968-69 A&BC Gum Footballers series feature Best at the peak of his powers. The FKS Wonderful World of Soccer Stars albums from the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons also include Best at card number 152 in both editions.

His celebrity status, dubbed the “Fifth Beatle” by the press, means his cards from the late 1960s attract interest beyond the traditional football card-collecting community.

Best left United at 27, meaning his entire top-flight career spans just over a decade, making a complete run of his Manchester United era cards a focused and achievable collecting goal.

See the 2002 Hall of Fame Inductees or browse the full list.