Dickie Best Passes On

The father of the legendary Belfast soccer star, the late George Best, has died at the age of 88.

Dickie Best had been in hospital for the past four weeks.

His family, who were with him when he passed away at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, have described him as "irreplaceable".

"Over the years, as everyone knows, Dad had his sorrows to bear but he faced them always with courage and dignity," a family statement said.

"He was a man who took great joy and pride in his family. He was an irreplaceable father whose bravery, integrity, wisdom and above all love shaped our lives," the family's statement concluded.

Dickie was an iconic figure, who as the father of Northern Ireland and Manchester United football legend, showed great dignity and presence at the time of his son’s early death.

East Belfast MP, Peter Robinson, said he was greatly saddened by news of the death of Dickie Best.

Mr Robinson said that the news will be a great loss to east Belfast: "The manner in which Mr Best coped with the death of his legendary son, George, in 2005, was an inspiration to us all. His passing - aged 88 - will be a further blow to the family and friends," said the Westminster MP.

In extending his sympathy on behalf of the people of east Belfast to the Best family, Mr Robinson agreed with their earlier comments and also said: "Dickie Best was indeed an irreplaceable father whose love for his family and for the east Belfast he grew up and spent his life in was something to be praised."

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Jim Rodgers, described Mr Best as "one of life's true gentlemen".

George Best died in 2005 aged 59 after a long battle with alcoholism

(BMcC)