Soccer: Belfast gathers to salute Best

BELFAST: Belfast will give George Best the kind of funeral normally reserved for royalty tomorrow.

Up to half a million people are expected to turn out to pay their respects to the city's most famous sporting son, born on a humble housing estate, in the biggest funeral in Britain since the Queen Mother was laid to rest three years ago.

Some of soccer's greatest names, including Alex Ferguson, the manager of Best's former club, Manchester United, will fly in for a ceremony that will be relayed to the multitudes gathered outside Northern Ireland's Parliament.

"It is expected several hundred thousand people will turn up to Stormont Parliamentary estate to mourn the passing of George Best," said Castlereagh Borough Council chief Adrian Donaldson, who is helping to co-ordinate proceedings.

Because of the damp, wintry conditions, only 30,000 people will be allowed into the 66-hectare estate that overlooks Belfast.

"There is the possibility of people slipping, there is also the possibility of people getting crushed," said Donaldson.

Thousands are expected to line the funeral route from Best's family home to Stormont. All 3000 hotel rooms in Belfast have been booked.

- REUTERS