When Best Embarrassed Banks

Northern Ireland v England on Saturday, May 15 1971 in Belfast. 40,000 fans turn up to watch George Best and the Irish take on mighty England in the Home International Championships. England’s team boasted World Cup Winners Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Alan Ball and keeper Gordon Banks. The game followed a familiar course with England snatching a 1-0 through a controversial late winner from Allan Clarke. However, the game will be remembered for a single moment in the match when Best embarrassed Banks.

In the first half, an Irish attack broke down with the ball ending up safely in the hands of Gordon Banks.

There seemed to be nothing untoward in the proceedings with players and the referee retreating to the halfway line. All in readiness for Banks to launch a long goal kick downfield.

Best’s Goal That Never Was

But in the most talked-about moment of the match Best refused to leave the side of Banks. Who with the ball in hand, vainly looked to dodge his way past the Irish legend to kick the ball.

In the split second between the ball leaving Banks’ grasp and connecting with his swinging left boot, Best had already got his left it the way. Casually flicking the clean all-white ball over the goalkeeper before heading home.

40,000 fans roared their appreciation of the skills of Georgie Best. However Scottish referee Alistair MacKenzie heeded Banks’ protests and disallowed the goal. It was generally perceived that the referee hadn’t even seen the incident and disallowed the goal following Banks’ remonstrations.

Handball !

To cap a miserable day off For Northern Ireland they were denied the Championship by another more than dubious decision for England’s winner. Following an Irish long throw, the ball fell to O’Kane on the edge of the box.

Under pressure, O’Kane attempted to lift the ball back into the England area. The onrushing Franny Lee lifted both arms to protect himself. In doing so the ball ricocheted off his hands right to his feet. Everyone stood still awaiting the referees’ whistle – which never came.

Lee broke forward, slid a pass to Allan Clarke who eventually bundled the ball past the keeper and slotted it home. England had snatched a 1-0 in the most controversial of circumstances.

A Dour Affair

On the whole, the 1971 Championship was a dour affair. Negative football devoid of any quality had dogged all the games. In fact, it wasn’t until the final game that any real quality was shown. England beat Scotland 3-1 at Wembley. The 4 goals scored in the game was more than scored in the previous 5 encounters in the tournament.

The tournament however hinged on 2 controversial decisions in the Northern Ireland v England match. The first was when Best embarrassed Banks, which the referee disallowed despite not seeing the incident. The second in allowing England’s winner – an incident the referee did see.

Should Best’s goal have been allowed ?? – comment below……