Northern Ireland man's George Best and Manchester United memorabilia exhibition
Patrick Van Dort
Published3rd Dec 2025, 13:33 GMT
Three minutes into his first time watching Manchester United at Old Trafford, Atkinson saw Best put Chelsea’s Eddie McCreadie under pressure, win back possession tight on the left and chip Peter Bonetti with an instinctive right-foot first-time lob from a tight angle on the edge of the penalty box.
That March afternoon Atkinson was part of a 56,261 crowd witnessing an 18-year-old genius at work as Best went on to set up two goals in a 4-0 win over previously-unbeaten league leaders Chelsea.
It was a first live magical memory for Atkinson of the boy from Belfast – who died 20 years ago on November 25 with December 03, 2005 marking his funeral.
Manchester United fan Eamon Atkinson showing off a supporters' club bannerette unfurled by George Best in 1967. His home collection of memorabilia also includes on display a special tie presented to players marking 60 years since the Northern Ireland legend's 1963 debut for Manchester United. (Photo by National World)placeholder image
Manchester United fan Eamon Atkinson showing off a supporters' club bannerette unfurled by George Best in 1967. His home collection of memorabilia also includes on display a special tie presented to players marking 60 years since the Northern Ireland legend's 1963 debut for Manchester United. (Photo by National World)
But far from the last.
Atkinson was also in the crowd at Windsor Park on October 21, 1967 when Best terrorised Scotland for Northern Ireland – his one-man show thrilling supporters with what many consider one of the greatest individual performances in international football.
Games and goals that built the legend.
By 22, Best had two English league title medals and European Cup success in his collection. He had also been named European Football of the Year.
Any wonder Atkinson answers swiftly and simply “‘Bestie’ was the best player I’ve ever seen”.
“Our first game - 13th of March, 1965...I will always remember,” said Atkinson, who has been secretary of the Craigavon Manchester United Supporters’ Club for decades. “I was 16 then getting the boat over with my friends from Portadown - Roy McConkey, George Taylor and Stanley Hamilton.
“I was working in Tweedie’s Butchers and remember saving my coppers up to go over to the games.
“Me and Stanley supported United, Roy was Liverpool and George followed Man City. I was a Man Utd fan because of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958...you always remember where you were when you heard about it.
“We’d get the Heysham boat over for 49 shillings and 6 pence on the Friday night and arrive maybe around 5 o’clock Saturday morning. Then we’d wait for a train to Manchester, find a wee cafe and get some breakfast then walk around the shops for a bit before out to the ground and queue up for a few hours waiting to get in...no tickets back then.
“After the match you’d get your tea and head back to the boat then arrive home Sunday morning.
“‘Bestie’ was the best player I’ve ever seen and in that Chelsea game it was the first goal I ever saw scored by Manchester United and the first from George...we went on to win the championship.
“He was the best...very hard to knock off a ball, any wonder defenders tried to kick him.
“He had the skills, great balance and a lot faster than people give him credit for really.
“You went over to watch Best to see something amazing...teams would put two or three men on him. I’ve seen (Franz) Beckenbauer, (Johan) Cruyff, Cristiano Ronaldo, (Diego) Maradona, (Lionel) Messi but Best, for me, would have been the best player.
“It was just unfortunate he didn’t get a bigger stage than he probably deserved.
“He had it all...it was the balance, it was the skill, the pace and on those pitches as well back then.
“George got the ball and you could feel it in the crowd...the fans expected something, he was that type of player.”
Atkinson has met football fans from all over the world and admits a special pride when the name of George Best comes up in conversation.
“It was always great having someone from, as they say, Our Wee Country, playing for Manchester United,” said Atkinson. “I saw him sent off for Northern Ireland for throwing some muck at the referee (v Scotland, 1970).
“In 1967 I saw him tear Scotland apart...it summed up in a nutshell his ability and the confidence to try things.
“When over for that 1967 game against Scotland he made an appearance at Holmes’ Bar in Portadown a few nights before the international.
“George came to the bar with his parents, Dickie and Anne.
“I was in a Manchester United supporters’ club in Portadown then and we had a bannerette made to commemorate his visit.
“The last time I saw him play was in his own testimonial at Windsor Park in 1988 with players from all over the world coming here to take part in the game.
“Over the years I’ve built up relationships with various Manchester United players, especially Paddy Crerand.
“Back in the 1990s I went up to the Milk Cup (now SuperCupNI) to watch Man United...my wife Susan and I went to Harry Gregg’s hotel in Portstewart.
“Players from that era would always talk about George with such reverence.
“We met George a few times at various events over the years in Northern Ireland or Manchester.
“He was always very friendly and generous with his time.”