Manchester United fans flock to Belfast for George Best tribute on 20th anniversary of death

Already dozens of fans from as far away as the USA and Malta have visited the city and visited the east Belfast player’s former home and graveside

Already dozens of fans from as far away as the USA and Malta have visited the city and visited the east Belfast player’s former home and graveside.

Local United fanatic Keith Norris has been hosting fans and tomorrow has arranged for 35 United supporters to come to Belfast for the anniversary on Tuesday.

For many supporters, the pilgrimage has already begun.

Last week husband and wife Ed and Yvonne Ybarra, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, travelled almost 5,000 miles to walk in Best’s footsteps.

The pair – members of the Official Manchester United Supporters Club – visited his childhood home in the Cregagh estate, posed beside the famous murals, and laid flowers at his grave in Roselawn.

The former United and Northern Ireland star died in a hospital in London on November 25, 2005, aged 59, from complications from the immunosuppressive drugs he needed to take after a liver transplant in 2002.

He’s still regarded by many fans as the best player the world has ever seen.

George Best’s funeral was held in Belfast eight days later with a large public service at Stormont followed by a private burial.

Tens of thousands lined the streets to see the cortege, which passed through east Belfast, while 300 invited guests attended the service in Stormont’s Great Hall.

His funeral was a major public event that was also televised for the crowds who couldn’t be in the building itself.

Keith Norris says he has been hosting fans from all over the world because he says it’s important to pass his legacy down to younger fans.

Football legend George Best on the pitch for Manchester United. Photo: TV Times via Getty Images

News in 90 Seconds – Sunday, November 23

“Northern Ireland v Holland at Windsor Park in 1977 was my first ever live football match – and George Best’s final game for his country,” says Keith, who owns the famous flag Big Lily which has travelled around the world with the team.

“I had George’s pictures on my wall when I was five-years-old, and they’re still there over 50 years later. I was lucky enough to meet him a few times, including just three days after United won the Treble in ’99.

“At his funeral, Big Lily hung over the Stormont Hotel, and one of the most photographed Wee Lily flags has always been the George Best one.

“For many of us, it feels like our responsibility to keep George’s legacy alive — Busby Babes, the lot.

“We attend the Munich commemoration every year, and last year organised an event in Dublin to mark what would have been Liam Whelan’s 90th birthday.

“It’s about passing the legacy down. It’s about making sure the memories aren’t forgotten. And for me, it’s also a chance to show the positive side of Northern Ireland — the friendship, the passion and the pride that football brings out in us.”

For the fans arriving tomorrow Keith has lined up a meeting with former United player and Northern Ireland legend David Healy, currently managing Linfield.

They will then visit some of the George Best sites including his graveside and the house where he grew up before hitting some murals.

They’ll be laying a wreath for former goalkeeper and hero of the Munich air disaster, Harry Gregg before visiting a mural on the Falls Road of Patrick O’Connell to lay another wreath.

O’Connell was born in Dublin but went on to captain Belfast Celtic and was the first Irishman to play for United.

Pete Swinny from the Facebook fan group To The Shores of Sicily flew into Belfast to stay in George’s old house in Burren Way during the week.

“This is my third trip to Belfast,” Pete said. “I’m pals with locals Keith Norris and Darren Fee, who travel to Munich regularly to commemorate the Busby Babes. On the way up, we stopped at Liam Whelan’s grave in Glasnevin.”

Pete was joined by another diehard, James Brindley. Before leaving, the pair visited the graves of Best and Munich hero Harry Gregg — but for James, the trip carried a deeply personal mission.

His father, Steven Brindley, was a lifelong George Best fanatic, and his final request was that Big Lily should accompany him on his last journey.“