Soccer legend to sell trophies for house on Corfu
LONDON (AFP) – Former Manchester United football great George Best is to sell two of his most treasured trophies – to pay for a holiday home in Greece for his family. The ex-Northern Ireland international, now 57, will auction off his European and British footballer-of-the-year awards in October, auctioneers Bonhams announced. The trophies are expected to fetch more than 150,000 pounds (215,000 euros, 245,000 dollars) each, Bonhams said. Best will use the proceeds to buy a holiday home on the Greek island of Corfu, he said, while admitting he would «shed a tear» to see the possessions go. The sale was nothing to do with money, insisted Best, who now works as a football pundit and has fought a highly public battle with alcoholism for decades. «I certainly don’t have to sell them,» Best said. «But I am sure my family would much rather have a nice retreat abroad where we can all relax, and they can enjoy it when I’m gone, than have two trophies that have to be kept locked away for security.» Best is widely considered one of the most naturally talented footballers ever to have played the game, despite a career severely curtailed by his off-field activities, principally drinking. He won the two top-player titles in 1968 after helping Manchester United to the European Cup, scoring a goal in their 4-1 win over Benfica in the final. However, shortly after that, Best, only in his mid-20s, saw his talents wane and he saw out much of his later career with a series of smaller clubs.
