George Best

In the immediate aftermath of George Best’s death on Friday 25th November, it was announced that a minute’s silence is to be observed at all Premiership and other matches during the weekend.

It is the traditional time-honoured gesture of respect, and it will do for a start. But George Best’s impact as a player and as a man demands much more than that. He was unique – the finest player of his generation and by common consent the greatest in the world. He brought pleasure to millions and, thanks largely to him, countless youngsters fell in love with the game. Yet for all his fame, he remained modest, courteous and generous throughout his life – a fact acknowledged by those who knew him and everyone who met him.

Let the short period of respectful silence be followed by several minutes of sustained and deafening applause, as crowds throughout the premiership and elsewhere sound the first notes in celebration of a wonderful, magical career.

And let the players who are present, many of whom are paid far too much and think they are infinitely better than they are, contemplate with some humility the passing of a man more gifted than they could ever hope to be.

Then the authorities, both in this country and in Northern Ireland, can begin to contemplate an appropriate and enduring memorial. Given George Best’s stature, it will not be easy.