Best family speak of sadness

It was the sad news they had been expecting, but George Best’s family were clearly still devastated when they spoke of his death today.

Facing scores of journalists at the Cromwell Hospital, where they had just seen his life slip away, they paid tribute to Best and to his medical team, led by Professor Roger Williams, who had treated the football legend since his liver transplant in 2002.

His son Calum Best, welling up with emotion, spoke first.

He said: “My father has passed away.

“Not only have I lost my dad but we have all lost a wonderful man and I would like to take the time to thank Professor Williams and Dr Akeel (Alisa) and everyone here at the Cromwell Hospital for doing everything they can do, and all the well-wishers and friends and letters and flowers and emails.

"It all means so much to all of us.”

Best’s sister Barbara McNarry’s voice broke as she read a statement.

In it, the family said: “As you can imagine this is a very difficult time so you will understand if we are a bit emotional.

“First of all I would like to say on behalf of the family a huge thank you to everyone who has supported George and us though this traumatic time.

“In particular to Professor Williams and to Dr Akeel (Alisa) who have become firm friends as well as medical advisers to George, to the rest of the medical staff and particularly (those) from the intensive care unit, who have offered the most overwhelming support, especially over the last 24 hours.

“Words cannot describe to lengths to which they have gone to make this easy for the family.

“To the thousands upon thousands of people who have sent cards and emails - we have taken great comfort from them, especially during the long hours.

“And finally I would like to say a very special thank you to (George’s agent) Phil Hughes who, over the past 25 years, has been to George nothing but a firm friend.”

George’s father Dickie Best told the media: “I would like to say something to you people and I hope you listen and follow what I have to say.

“Now we have made a statement to you, will you please all go away and leave us in peace? That’s a human thing to ask, you will think.”

Denis Law, Best’s former Manchester United teammate, said: “It is an extremely sad day for the Best family – his father, his son and sisters and his brother, and of course, as Calum mentioned, Phil Hughes.

“It was just a matter of time. It was not if, it was when that things would not go right and, in the long run, knowing him for such as long time, it is the best thing that could have happened to him because he would have been slightly like a vegetable and he would not have liked that.

“It is awful to say sometimes but it was a blessing.”

Responding to a comment by a journalist that Best “loved life“, he replied, laughing: “He certainly did, yes. We won’t go into that too far.”

Best’s agent Phil Hughes, who was crying in front of the cameras, added: “He has gone somewhere now where no one can hurt him any more. He is safe now."