Portadown Football Club has been quick to correct a contestant on ITV’s The Chase who claimed that George Best never played for the Co Armagh side.
In Wednesday’s episode of the popular game show, Comghal from Lurgan was hoping to beat the chaser and take home a cash prize.
Before the 33-year-old had a chance to take on Anne Hegarty – ‘The Governess’ – he confessed to show host and Arsenal fan Bradley Walsh that he was a Manchester United supporter, which prompted Walsh to ask: “Whatever happened to Portadown? They were a good side.”
“George Best never played for Portadown,” replied Comghal, who was unfortunately caught by the chaser and lost £4,000.
However, NIFL Premiership side Portadown, who are currently sitting fourth in the table, posted on social media: “Mr Bradley Walsh knows his stuff but unfortunately Comghal doesn’t – George Best actually did play for Portadown!”
The club then went on to share a few pictures of former Northern Ireland international and Man United star Best playing at Shamrock Park against old rivals Glenavon.
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Best pulled on the red jersey of Portadown in October 1981 during an exhibition match, captaining the Ports to a 1-0 victory.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph in 2015 after the images of Best playing for Portadown were discovered, Gerald Black, who arranged the match, said it was an unforgettable day.
“It was the largest crowd at a Portadown game for years – it was a dream come true to see him playing,” he said.
Best left Manchester United in 1974 and, by the early 1980s, was playing in the United States for San Jose Earthquakes.
He had travelled to Portadown for a chat show, organised by Gerald, a local businessman who ran Bannview Squash Club.
Gerald used the opportunity to ask if Best would pull on his boots for the local club.
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“I flew to Manchester 12 times to see George Best playing football,” he said.
“I decided I’d try to bring him to Portadown.
“Every year I brought over a personality to get publicity for the club I ran, and this year I managed to get George over.
“You couldn’t do it now. They’re all so unapproachable. But I went to his agent, Bill McMurdo, and it was a ‘yes’ right away.
“The chat show was done by Niall Crozier, and it was very successful. We had a full house.
“When I was taking him back to the airport, I said: ‘George, would you play a game of football for me’, and he said he would.
“So I came back and I contacted the Portadown directors, and the directors of Glenavon Football Club, and they both agreed to put out a team.”
Portadown won the game 1-0 after a late goal scored by Gordon Green.
A match report from the following day’s Belfast Telegraph described how the 5,000 crowd were captivated by Best’s skill.
It read: “In a generally relaxed first half Best was obviously accommodating himself to the slower pace of the game in Northern Ireland, but after the interval he showed more verve again with delightful precision passing.”
It recalls how, in one move, he beat “four players in as many seconds” before forcing the Glenavon goalkeeper, Trevor McCullough, to make a fine save.