John Layton remembers George Best

Former Hereford United player John Layton has told BBC Hereford and Worcester how he remembers playing against George Best, who died today after a long illness, back in 1976.

Hereford United travelled to Craven Cottage on Saturday 25th September but lost the game 4-1.

Best was playing for Fulham in those days along with Rodney Marsh and Bobby Moore.

"I was marking Best. He proved a handful. He wasn't the quickest of players then but he was very quick thinking and had a great awareness of people around him.

"He was well through his career but the supporters were still flocking to see him. I think he put six to seven thousand on the gate when he signed for Fulham.

"With Rodney Marsh and Bobby Moore there, it was like a carnival atmosphere, like a Cup final.

"Best was so natural. He was the sort of player who didn't have to work at his game. It just flowed.

"He could see a pass, he could play a pass, he could receive a pass. He could jig past you on the right, he could go past you on the left. He could run at you. He did everything.

"To Best it just seemed to come natural and he enjoyed playing as well. He was exciting to watch.

"After the game we went for a beer, he was just one of the lads. He wasn't the big I am at all. He just sat in the corner and got on with his life."

Towards the end of the interview Layton made this tribute to Best.

"People like George Best don't come round very often. When they do you have to appreciate his skills and his talents."

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