10 Footballers Who Refused To Play
2. George Best
The term 'mercurial' was invented for George Best. Astonishingly talented on the pitch, often volatile off it, English football's first true superstar was just as likely to score a double hattrick one week as he was to miss an away tie to spend the weekend with an actress the next.
The Northern Irishman, despite the God-given gifts which expressed themselves through his feet, was at heart a shy, humble man. Being thrust into the media spotlight against his will - he was no stage performer or singer, but a sportsman - had an ultimately debilitating effect on his personal life. Best variously indulged as he increasingly struggled to cope with fame - more often than not causing turmoil in his career.
After a fake-out retirement in 1972, Best's Manchester United career finally came to permanent conclusion two years later. The winger went on an apparent three day binge, after which he was arrested for stealing a fur coat, passport, and chequebook from American TV star Marjorie Wallace. Just as the charges were ultimately dropped, so too was Best, by then-gaffer Tommy Docherty. Outraged, the Belfast Boy refused to play for the club ever again.
He stuck to his word, seeing out an itinerant career across the next 10 years which took in such footballing colossi as Fulham, Hibs, and Tobermore United.