George Best

[Dangerous]

Taken From the BBC News.

Legend Best 'enters final hours'

Best's condition worsened early on Wednesday
Footballing legend George Best is unlikely to survive beyond the next 24 hours, his doctor has said.
He could not recover from the internal bleeding that developed during the night, Professor Roger Williams said.

"I have to tell you his hours are numbered and it's very upsetting," Professor Williams said.

The former Northern Ireland star, 59, deteriorated with a lung infection on Friday, after almost eight weeks in Cromwell Hospital, west London.

The star was admitted to hospital on 1 October with flu-like symptoms.

Drugs needed after his liver transplant in 2002 had made the former alcoholic more susceptible to infection.

Everything has got worse and we are not controlling things well any more

Prof Williams
Best's doctor

Dr Akeel Alisa said: "George has had a very bad night. He's very, very ill. I think we must all prepare ourselves for the worst.

"George is a friend, not just a patient. It's been a very emotional day."

The man who oversaw Best's liver transplant, Professor Roger Williams, said the outlook was "very gloomy" as there had been a "definite downturn in his condition".

"Bleeding has been a big problem.

"We don't think he is going to keep on surviving but it is difficult to say how long."

'Critical'

He added: "Everything has got worse and we are not controlling things well any more."

Best's closest family arrived at the west London hospital looking very upset and asked the gathered media not to film or photograph them as they went in.


Best's condition worsened early on Wednesday

Things had looked more positive earlier in the week when Best regained consciousness.

He was taken off sedation and was described as "fairly stable" by Prof Williams.

But then his condition deteriorated once more between 0100 and 0200 GMT on Wednesday.

Best helped Manchester United win a string of titles in the 1960s and he was European Footballer of the Year in 1968.

His style captivated football fans around the world but his playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism and bankruptcy.
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The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

[Norseman]

George Best 'very close to death'

Footballing legend George Best is said to be close to death and is no longer receiving treatment to keep him alive.
A doctor at London's Cromwell Hospital, where the star has spent the last eight weeks, told the BBC Best's death was "a matter of hours if not minutes" away.

BBC News 25 November 2005, 04:05 GMT
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I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.

[Norseman]

Football legend George Best dies

George Best had suffered weeks of ill-health
Football legend George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59.
Best died in intensive care at 1255 GMT on Friday following "a long and very valiant fight", said a statement from west London's Cromwell Hospital.

BBC World Friday, 25 November 2005, 13:45 GMT


What a player!!!
Tragedy.
RIP
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I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.

[Jaime]

From BBC News 25 November 2005:

Football legend George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59.

Best died in intensive care at 1255 GMT on Friday following "a long and very valiant fight", said a statement from west London's Cromwell Hospital.
His family, including son Calum, 24, and father Dickie, 87, had kept an all-night vigil at his bedside.
The ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had multiple organ failure following a lung infection and internal bleeding, after weeks of ill health.
Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern led tributes, describing Best as one of his "one of the best players the world has ever seen".
"In the days ahead people will struggle with words to try to describe his talent," Mr Ahern said.
"In this regard George should be remembered as the very best at what he did. He was quite simply a football genius."
The hospital statement continued: "The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best's family at this time."
Best had been in hospital since entering with flu-like symptoms on 1 October, later suffering a kidney infection.
Best, a recovering alcoholic, was particularly susceptible to infection because of medicines he needed after a 2002 liver transplant.
The Belfast-born former footballer and television pundit had been prescribed medication to suppress the immune system and prevent his body rejecting the new liver.
At the time of his hospital admission in October, Best's agent Phil Hughes said his client had been "off the drink" before being admitted to the hospital.
Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the British and world game.
His heyday occurred during the 1960s, and he brought a pop star image to the game for the first time.
But the accompanying champagne and playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism, bankruptcy, a prison sentence for drink-driving and, eventually, his controversial liver transplant.
He helped Manchester United win the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968. His role in the team's success was recognised by his becoming the European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
Best made 466 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring a total of 178 goals.
He also won 37 caps - scoring nine goals - for Northern Ireland.
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