A look at his life

1961: Joins Manchester United as amateur on Aug 16. 

1963: Signs professional contract with Manchester United on May 22, makes English league debut on Sept. 14 in 1-0 win over West Brom and scores first goal against Burnley on Dec 28. 

1964: Makes international debut with Northern Ireland in 3-2 win over Wales on April 15, and scores first international goal in 2-1 win at Switzerland. 

1966: Scores two goals at Benfica in European Cup quarterfinals in what many believe to be Best's best performance. 

1968: Voted European Player of the Year and helps Manchester United with European Cup, beating Benfica 4-1 at Wembley Stadium. 

1970: Scores six goals in Manchester United's 8-2 win over Northampton Town in fifth round of FA Cup on Feb. 7. It was Best’s first match since serving a four-week suspension for knocking the ball out of a referee’s hands. 

1971: Scores hat trick for Northern Ireland in 5-0 win over Cyprus in April, and then is refused permission by Manchester United to play for his country against Soviet Union in October after receiving death threats. 

1972: On May 20, Best announces from Spain that he is retiring from football, saying he’s been drinking a bottle of alcohol a day. He returns to Britain two months later and says he will continue to play for Manchester United. Again announces his retirement in December after manager Frank O’Farrell is fired. 

1973: Found guilty of assaulting a waitress and causing bodily harm. Resumes training in April, and is admitted to a hospital 10 days later with a blood clot. In June, says he will not play anymore, but two months later decides to give football another try. 

n 1974: Plays his final match for Manchester United on New Year's Day in a 3-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers. In February, is arrested and later charged with stealing items from the apartment of Miss World Marjorie Wallace. Cleared of the charges two months later. 

1975: Banned by FIFA, but penalty is lifted a day later when Manchester United releases him from his contract. Signs for Stockport County to play in home matches only for a month. In December, signs for Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League, and plays for Cork Celtic in League of Ireland. 

n 1976: Released by Cork Celtic for “lack of enthusiasm,” and then makes debut for the Aztecs on April 17. On Aug 12, signs contract to play for English team Fulham. 

1977: Plays for both Fulham and the Aztecs while a dispute of who owns him unfolds. 

1978: Marries Angie Janes on Jan 24. Plays final game for Los Angeles on June 20 and is soon transferred to Fort Lauderdale Strikers. In September, Best plays two games for the Detroit Express in Austria. Fulham argues that Best is only allowed to play for the English team when he is outside the United States. On Oct 11, FIFA again issues a worldwide ban on Best. 

1979: FIFA’s ban is lifted on March 28, and Best is cleared to play for Fort Lauderdale. In October, Manchester United refuse to put on a testimonial match for Best. He signs for Scottish team Hibernian in November. 

1980: Deemed unfit to play against Ayr United in fourth round of Scottish Cup and is released by Hibernian. Re-signs a week later. In April, Best signs with the San Jose Earthquakes. Plays his final match for Hibernian on Oct 11. 

1981: Son Calum is born on Feb 6 in San Jose, California. In July, scores what is considered to be his greatest goal. Two months later, Manchester United considers re-signing Best. 

1982: Best is declared bankrupt. Four-year marriage to Angie ends. 

1983: Signs for AFC Bournemouth in the English league and plays his final match in England on May 7. On July 3, makes his debut for Brisbane Lions in Australia. 

1984: Charged with drunk driving, and then fails to show for court hearing. Subsequently arrested and assaults a policeman. Sent to prison for 12 weeks. 

1985: Released from prison after serving eight weeks. 

1987: The Irish Football Association refuse to grant Best a testimonial match. 

1988: Has his own testimonial match on Aug 8. 

1995: Marries second wife Alex Pursey in London. 

2000: Hospitalised with suspected liver failure in March, and released about three weeks later. 

2001: Hospitalised with pneumonia in February and, two months later, has anti-alcohol pellets implanted in stomach. Hospitalised for a week in November with a viral infection. 

2002: Has liver transplant after years of heavy drinking. 

2004: Alex Best granted a divorce after nine years of marriage on grounds of her husband’s adultery. 

2005: Arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman who feared he was about to attack his former girlfriend. Pictured in the newspapers with two black eyes after reportedly being hit by current girlfriend. Hospitalised on Oct 1 because of a reaction to medication for alcoholism. Died on Friday. 

1963: Signs professional contract with Manchester United on May 22, makes English league debut on Sept. 14 in 1-0 win over West Brom and scores first goal against Burnley on Dec 28. 

1964: Makes international debut with Northern Ireland in 3-2 win over Wales on April 15, and scores first international goal in 2-1 win at Switzerland. 

1966: Scores two goals at Benfica in European Cup quarterfinals in what many believe to be Best's best performance. 

1968: Voted European Player of the Year and helps Manchester United with European Cup, beating Benfica 4-1 at Wembley Stadium. 

1970: Scores six goals in Manchester United's 8-2 win over Northampton Town in fifth round of FA Cup on Feb. 7. It was Best’s first match since serving a four-week suspension for knocking the ball out of a referee’s hands. 

1971: Scores hat trick for Northern Ireland in 5-0 win over Cyprus in April, and then is refused permission by Manchester United to play for his country against Soviet Union in October after receiving death threats. 

1972: On May 20, Best announces from Spain that he is retiring from football, saying he’s been drinking a bottle of alcohol a day. He returns to Britain two months later and says he will continue to play for Manchester United. Again announces his retirement in December after manager Frank O’Farrell is fired. 

1973: Found guilty of assaulting a waitress and causing bodily harm. Resumes training in April, and is admitted to a hospital 10 days later with a blood clot. In June, says he will not play anymore, but two months later decides to give football another try. 

n 1974: Plays his final match for Manchester United on New Year's Day in a 3-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers. In February, is arrested and later charged with stealing items from the apartment of Miss World Marjorie Wallace. Cleared of the charges two months later. 

1975: Banned by FIFA, but penalty is lifted a day later when Manchester United releases him from his contract. Signs for Stockport County to play in home matches only for a month. In December, signs for Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League, and plays for Cork Celtic in League of Ireland. 

n 1976: Released by Cork Celtic for “lack of enthusiasm,” and then makes debut for the Aztecs on April 17. On Aug 12, signs contract to play for English team Fulham. 

1977: Plays for both Fulham and the Aztecs while a dispute of who owns him unfolds. 

1978: Marries Angie Janes on Jan 24. Plays final game for Los Angeles on June 20 and is soon transferred to Fort Lauderdale Strikers. In September, Best plays two games for the Detroit Express in Austria. Fulham argues that Best is only allowed to play for the English team when he is outside the United States. On Oct 11, FIFA again issues a worldwide ban on Best. 

1979: FIFA’s ban is lifted on March 28, and Best is cleared to play for Fort Lauderdale. In October, Manchester United refuse to put on a testimonial match for Best. He signs for Scottish team Hibernian in November. 

1980: Deemed unfit to play against Ayr United in fourth round of Scottish Cup and is released by Hibernian. Re-signs a week later. In April, Best signs with the San Jose Earthquakes. Plays his final match for Hibernian on Oct 11. 

1981: Son Calum is born on Feb 6 in San Jose, California. In July, scores what is considered to be his greatest goal. Two months later, Manchester United considers re-signing Best. 

1982: Best is declared bankrupt. Four-year marriage to Angie ends. 

1983: Signs for AFC Bournemouth in the English league and plays his final match in England on May 7. On July 3, makes his debut for Brisbane Lions in Australia. 

1984: Charged with drunk driving, and then fails to show for court hearing. Subsequently arrested and assaults a policeman. Sent to prison for 12 weeks. 

1985: Released from prison after serving eight weeks. 

1987: The Irish Football Association refuse to grant Best a testimonial match. 

1988: Has his own testimonial match on Aug 8. 

1995: Marries second wife Alex Pursey in London. 

2000: Hospitalised with suspected liver failure in March, and released about three weeks later. 

2001: Hospitalised with pneumonia in February and, two months later, has anti-alcohol pellets implanted in stomach. Hospitalised for a week in November with a viral infection. 

2002: Has liver transplant after years of heavy drinking. 

2004: Alex Best granted a divorce after nine years of marriage on grounds of her husband’s adultery. 

2005: Arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman who feared he was about to attack his former girlfriend. Pictured in the newspapers with two black eyes after reportedly being hit by current girlfriend. Hospitalised on Oct 1 because of a reaction to medication for alcoholism. Died on Friday.