How we reported it in 1970

GEORGE BEST, unshaven and dressed with studied casualness, stretched out on a settee yesterday to watch on television the feat which strained the credulity of every football fan.

His six goals at Northampton 24 hours earlier represented the greatest one-man show soccer has seen for years.

But, like most men blessed with instinctive talent, Best remains matter-of-fact about his achievements.

‘I don’t really class myself as a footballer. I call myself an entertainer,’ Best said.

‘I know a lot of people have paid to see me do something spectacular and that’s what I was trying to do on Saturday.

‘It’s my job to do something that will send people away feeling that they’d like to see me play again.

‘While I’ve been suspended I’ve had letters from cranks saying that the team played better without me. I felt that if we were beaten by Northampton, people would say it was my fault.

‘ People think that just because I’m a bit of a showman and lose my temper occasionally I’m not trying but I do as much running as anyone.

‘During the past week I drove myself harder than ever in training and when I went out yesterday I felt really great.’