Our fourth release for March, George Best Down Under, by Lucas Gillard (with a contribution from Jason Goldsmith) is out today.
It delves into the four tours to Australia by the iconic George Best, one of world football’s greatest legends, chronicling Best’s trips to Australia starting with the tour by Manchester United in 1967, one year before United won the European Cup and Best the Ballon d’Or.
His subsequent short stints to Australia, starting in 1983 at age 37 and ending in 1990, were a chance to earn extra money but for Best, they were also a chance for him to be himself on the football pitch - simply the best.
George Best Down Under explores the historical context of Best’s visits to Australia as well as their impact on Australia’s football culture, especially in the 1980s when - much like today with the A-League - national soccer league clubs were searching for the ‘magic bullet’ that would grab the attention of the allegedly dormant soccer-loving public.
The book is a must-read for football enthusiasts, offering a nostalgic journey and a deeper understanding of one of the sport's most charismatic figures, as well as a reflection on the historical, social and cultural environment of Australian football.
Buy it from us, all good bookstores, or the usual online outlets.