GEORGE BEST - ONE YEAR ON

Last updated : 26 November 2006 By Ed

Belfast Evening Telegraph:

Belfast singer Peter Corry is to perform a song in memory of George Best when Manchester United take on Chelsea at Old Trafford this Sunday, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.

The clash of the season between the Premier League's two top teams takes place on the first anniversary of the football legend's death and Peter has been invited to perform the song Bring Him Home - which he also sang at the funeral last year - as a tribute.

The performance will mark the start of the match, which is expected to attract up to 75,000 football supporters.

Peter, who also sang the Long And Winding Road at George's funeral last December, said he was "honoured and thrilled" to be asked.

"I was actually in Manchester last year when I heard the news that George had died," he said.

"I was over there singing at a charity event and was already planning to be back in Manchester again this weekend to perform at the same function.

"Then I got a phone call from Barbara McNarry's husband Norman and he mentioned about the match and if I would like to sing at it.

"Next thing, I got a telephone call from Phil Coulter asking me if I would sing Bring Me Home, the song I performed at George's funeral last year."


PA:

'Manchester United have allowed a bucket collection for the George Best Foundation to be held outside Old Trafford prior to Sunday's Barclays Premiership encounter with Chelsea.

The game comes 24 hours after the first anniversary of Best's death and members of the United great's family will be there as the current crop attempt to go six points clear of their London rivals.

Earlier this week, club officials confirmed they had commissioned a statue to be built in Best's honour, not just depicting the Northern Irishman but also his legendary team-mates Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.

And, while there will be no formal minute's silence for Best this weekend, Irish entertainer Peter Corry, who performed at the winger's funeral, will sing before the game.

Best's sister Barbara McNarry expressed her hope that the GBF, which was launched to raise funds to research liver disease and promote healthier lifestyles among the young, will continue to have a positive impact.

"Both of these aims would have had George's full approval," she said.

"As the first anniversary of George's death is fast approaching, we are looking forward again to remembering and honouring, in the most unique way, the greatest and most complete footballer the world has ever seen.

"Manchester adopted George as one of their own and he never forgot that fact."