It's unquestionable that George was the greatest footballer in the world and it is so sad what happened

By Lisa Smyth
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

28 November 2005

A CHILDHOOD friend of George Best has revealed how the pair delivered copies of the Belfast Telegraph to homes throughout east Belfast before football training.

Opening his heart at his devastation at losing his life-long pal, Robin McCabe recalled fond memories of Best as the pair grew up together on the Cregagh estate.

The boys were born only months apart, both attended Lisnasharragh High School together and spent hours playing football for Cregagh Boys Club.

Robin said: "Everyone you talk to tells you they knew George Best, but I knew the real George, we grew up together - I was always welcome in his house - there was never any problem going over to his house after school and playing records and things like that.

"Even when he moved away, George never forgot where he came from - I remember when we were filming for This Is Your Life and I was sitting with his father Dickie in the green room afterwards and even though the place was full of famous people, George came straight over and spent half an hour talking to me.

"I have lots of letters he sent to me when he was in Manchester and Christmas cards from over the years and they are going to be very special to me now.

"George was a great fellow - when I was young I saved up for my first bike by doing a paper round delivering the Belfast Telegraph and George used to help me out so I could get finished up in time to go to football training."

Like so many boys their age during the fifties, the pair were dedicated to football as they grew up.

Robin said: "You must remember that being 15 in those days was a completely different kettle of fish to what it is now - all we did was kick a football about."

However, Robin also revealed that he was not overly impressed when his pal revealed he had been selected to train for Manchester United: "In those days, boys went over but they came back again so I didn't think too much about it when he came over and told me."

Neither George or Robin could ever know what the future held for the shy unassuming Belfast boy.

"It's unquestionable that George was the greatest footballer in the world and it is so sad what happened, I am devastated," said Robin.

"In a way, the fans are partly to blame for what happened to George because it was easy to go up and buy him a drink and then go away and tell everyone they had a drink with Geordie.

"In fact, I think I must be the only person who can't say they had a drink with George - it just wasn't like that between us, all we did was drink tea or coffee when we got together.

"I feel so privileged to have known George, he was a very special person and they are all happy memories from a very happy time."