Northern Ireland

George Best statue unveiled in Belfast

Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Pictures by Hugh Russell 
Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Pictures by Hugh Russell 

A bronze statue of George Best has been unveiled just yards away from Windsor Park, where the legendary footballer player many international games for Northern Ireland.

The life-sized statue - which was funded by the public - has been placed outside the Olympia Leisure Centre.

It's unveiling took place this morning, marking what would have been the former Manchester United star's 73rd birthday.

The statue was created by Belfast sculptor Tony Currie of the Lecale Bronze art group and captures George Best dribbling a football.

Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell 
Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell 

This morning's unveiling was attended by George Best's sister, Barbara McNarry and his former teammate Pat Jennings.

Mr Jennings said: "As soon as you saw him in the training sessions, going around nutmegging the older players, you thought 'Oh, what a talent this lad's going to be' and of course he went on to be an unbelieveable player."

George Best's sister Barbara McNarry and Northern Ireland teammate Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell  
George Best's sister Barbara McNarry and Northern Ireland teammate Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell  
Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell  
Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue of football legend George Best in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell  
George Best's sister Barbara McNarry and Northern Ireland teammate Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell  
George Best's sister Barbara McNarry and Northern Ireland teammate Pat Jennings unveiled the bronze statue in Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell