I would argue that Best was however perhaps an unfulfilled talent rather than perhaps “the greatest ever player not to player in a world cup”. Best’s career was in decline almost from the its inception. The sight of a player who should have been in his prime wandering around playing for a match fee in lower leagues in certainly not in keeping with one of the games greats. Even in terms of great Irish players who never played in a World Cup players like Giles, Brady and Carey could give Best a run for this title given the deph and longevity of their careers.

A corrections to make: it is Eddie McCreadie not McCreadle.

Great effort – will be sharing with many of friends from that era.