The International Football Hall of Champions inductee's plate presented to George Best in 2000, a hallmarked Tiffany and Co, New York, .925 sterling s

The International Football Hall of Champions inductee's plate presented to George Best in 2000, a hallmarked Tiffany and Co, New York, .925 sterling silver plate, weighing approximately 1340 grams, diameter 38 cm, inscribed THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL HALL OF CHAMPIONS, GEORGE BEST, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM JANUARY 24, and engraved in the centre with the organisation's logo PROVENANCE: Bonhams 20 October 2010 Lot 316 This award was presented to George Best at the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year Ceremony at the Palais des Congres in Brussels, 24th January 2000, where the honour went to Rivaldo of Barcelona. In addition a number of other prizes were bestowed including the welcome of a new group of inducteed to the International Football Hall of Champions. This included George Best, Didi, Marco van Basten and Zico. George Best (1946-2005) Northern Irish and Manchester United footballer, named European Footballer of the Year in 1968. The highly skillful winger considered one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport by several pundits. He was capped 37 times by Northern Ireland between 1964-77 scoring 9 goals. Playing with Manchester United from 1963 to 1974 making 361 appearances scoring 137 goals under Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy (Youth manager), making his debut aged 17 on the 14th September 1963 against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in a 1-0 victory. During the season 1964-64 he helped United to claim the league title against rivals Leeds United but were knockout of the FA Cup at semi-final stage by Leeds. He scored the opening goal of the 1965 FA Charity Shield against Liverpool FC ending in a 2-2 draw. He scored 2 goals in a European Cup quarter-final match against Benfica at Estadio da Luz on the 9th March 1966. The 1966-67 season saw United claim the league title by four points, he scored 10 goals in 45 games and helped United share the Charity Shield with a 3-3 draw with FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur, the 1st game broadcast in colour on British television. The 1967-68 season saw United win the European Cup beating Benfica in the final at Wembley with Best scoring in extra time, United won 4-1. A member of the ''Holy Trinity'' with Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. Under new manager Wilf McGuinness United reached 8th place in the 1969-70 season. His last competitive match for United was on the 1st January 1974 against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, losing 3-0.