SOCCER: Forty-two years after a waif-like 17-year-old George Best stepped out to begin his Manchester United odyssey, Old Trafford rose as one last night to acclaim his legend.

Fate had contrived to provide West Brom as fitting opponents on an emotional night, the team against whom Matt Busby first blooded Best so long ago.

Graham Williams and Campbell Crawford, two of the men whom Best tormented on a night which has passed into United folklore, joined United's 1968 European Cup-winning team in the guard of honour to mark his passing.

Outside, one could sense Busby gazing on approvingly as the banks of shirts and flowers slowly grew.

Best's son Calum paused to take in some of the messages left in memory of a man whose genius ensured he will never be forgotten.

"Georgie Best was everywhere, with Elvis hips and Beatles hair - a real wizard on the ball, he was the greatest of them all," read one poignant note.

Best's appeal transcended generations as much as it did traditional football divides. The light blue of Manchester City was especially evident among the colourful tributes.

In his programme notes, Alex Ferguson wrote: "He was a special player who says he wants to be remembered for his football, which is not difficult because he always gave such great joy to the game . . . he has left us with a million memories and all of them good."

At just gone 10 to eight, 50,000 thousand supporters held specially produced posters of Best up into the cold night sky and a chant of "One George Best", emanating from the visiting supporters' section, soon reverberated around every corner of Old Trafford.

The man they hailed as 'El Beatle' for his rock-star lifestyle was also hailed to the tune of Yellow Submarine as Ferguson and his opposite number, Bryan Robson, led the teams out holding wreaths.

Best's former team-mate Bobby Charlton said: "I would like to pay my respects to a giant of the game of football and, on behalf of the Manchester United family here, the players, staff and indeed Manchester United fans around the world, I would just like to say a big thank you to George Best and just to say you will never be forgotten here."

After an impeccably observed minutes' silence the teams kicked off with the impossible task of somehow living up to the genius of the man whose life they had just celebrated.

Tears flowed freely as United fans, young and old, celebrated the life of the man who emerged from the back streets of Belfast.