By Chris Wright
You may think you know all there is to know about Manchester United legend George Best but, thanks to a bit of digging by a Northern Irish newspaper, it seems that the most basic fact we hold to be true about the 1960s icon – his name – may not be quite as set in stone as it once was.
As per to the Belfast Telegraph‘s sleuthing, there appears to be some confusion on Best’s birth certificate vis-a-vis his first name.
This from the paper:
“His birth certificate shows a disparity between the Christian names given when he was born, on May 22, 1946, and the one he was later baptised with.
“It indicates the name ‘Ronald Samuel Best’ was initially registered on May 27, five days after his birth, but subsequently changed to one single name, ‘George’.”
The Telegraph even have photographic evidence…
EXCLUSIVE: George Best wasn’t always called George, as his birth certificate reveals…http://t.co/7rc7AGGuCL #NINews pic.twitter.com/PqCGrDDOXE
— Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) May 6, 2015
Even Best’s own family appear to be bamboozled by the presence of the forenames “Ronald Samuel” on his birth certificate, with Norman McNarry, who married George’s sister Barbara, telling the Telegraph:
“Barbara hasn’t a clue about the name change on the birth certificate and she doesn’t think anyone can explain how it happened.
“It’s a grey area as far as we’re concerned.”
Ronald Best? It just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it. You can’t be the coolest footballer on the face of the Earth with a name like Ronald.
Sincere apologies to all the Ronalds out there.
@waatpies now I do understand his t-shirt pic.twitter.com/JUenKx2Oqg
— george best (@jorgebaezmoore) May 7, 2015
Suggested further viewing…
10 Excellent Photos Of George Best In His Über Cool Pomp
Archive Photos Of George Best’s Fashion Boutique In Manchester
Retro Advert: George Best Strikers – All Action Shoes For All Action Boys!
Francis Lee Very Obviously Accuses George Best Of Diving During Manchester Derby, 1971