Thousands gather to pay last respects to George Best

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Stormont today as Belfast prepared to pay its last respects to its most famous footballing son, George Best.

Even before daybreak, buses, taxis and cars carrying fans of the Manchester United superstar flocked to Parliament Buildings to take part in the biggest outpouring of grief ever seen in Northern Ireland for a sporting icon.

Admirers came from all parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland to pay tribute to a player regarded by many of his contemporaries as one of the finest of all time.

At 8.30am as the gates of the estate opened, it was estimated 12,000 people had gathered to witness George Best’s send-off which has united fans of all football clubs in mourning as well as both communities in Northern Ireland.

The first man through the gates was Stanley Neill, 45, a railway operator from Brighton, but originally from Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

He arrived last night at the gates of Stormont to stake a prime viewing position.

Mr Neill explained: “Since I was a knee high little boy, I watched his life.

“This is a sad day but it is also closure.”

Mr Neill, who left Northern Ireland 25 years ago, travelled alone to share in this moment of sporting history.

For security reasons, only 32,000 people will be allowed into the grounds around Parliament Buildings, while 300 guests inside will join George Best’s son Calum, father Dickie, his brothers and sisters and two former wives, Angie and Alex for a ceremony akin to a state funeral.

Team-mates from his playing days at Manchester United and Northern Ireland were also gathering in the city for the ceremony, including his close friend Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paddy Crerand and Harry Gregg.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, former international manager Billy Bingham and England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson

Some fans began their pilgrimage in Belfast city centre, gathering outside the City Hall which has hosted a shrine over the past week to the 59-year-old football genius.

Scarves were tied to the gates of City Hall and candles lit among the rain drenched football shirts and flags.

There were personal messages to the Northern Ireland international.

After heavy overnight rain, grey skies and the threat of more downpours were not enough to deter fans from taking to the streets to pay their final tribute.

Bus shelters in east Belfast also paid tribute to the footballer who honed his skills on the Cregagh estate, with special posters in the red of Manchester United emblazoned with the number seven and the green of Northern Ireland with the number 11, declaring “The Best from Belfast”.

As crowds streamed up the mile-long Prince of Wales Avenue in the Stormont estate, huge floral tributes and wreaths were placed at the spot where the coffin will emerge from the hearse once it has made its way from the Best family home in Cregagh.

Fans were also expected to line the route to Stormont and from there to Roselawn Cemetery where George Best will be laid to rest beside his mother, Ann.