The following is an Extract from the Arbroath Herald dated Friday 13th August 1982.

Best`s Genius Shines Through
Age and high living may have taken their toll on George Best over the years but there is no disguising the genius that took him to the top of the football tree. It shone through in flashes in Sunday’s special challenge match at Gayfield when he inspired the local junior side, Arbroath Vic`s to a 4 - 3 win over Arbroath F.C.

In the early stages of the match it looked as though Best would be given little chance to shine as Arbroath who had taken the opportunity to give some much needed match practice to several first team regulars. They went ahead in the 15th minute when Davie Durno played a one-two with Dougie Robb and slipped the ball past Vic`s keeper Eric Martin, Brain Duff added a second around the half-hour mark after Andy Sommerville had botched a pass-back. Then Best playing a deep lying role but finding plenty of room, really brought the game to life in the 34th minute with a solo run reminiscent of his heyday. He dragged the ball across the box, turned several defenders inside out with a series of feints, worked his way back inside and let fly from six yards, having left the opposition in total disarray. Stewart Forsyth had no option but to handle the ball on the line and Best netted the Penalty with ease. Eight minutes later, Russell Buchart equalised for the Vic`s, rising above Arbroath keeper Larter to head home a Dave McIntosh cross to complete a great fight-back, Vic`s took the lead right on half-time when Best converted a second penalty after Tom Cargill had been brought down. At this stage it seemed that a script had been prepared in advance by the junior club’s officials. Certainly the run of play so far could not have worked out better.

In the second half, with a number of fresh faces on the pitch Vic`s continued to hold their own but the maroon’s equalised in the 67th minute when keeper Eric Martin tripped Dougie Robb, who made no mistake from the penalty spot. The winning goal came with 15 minutes remaining and it was of such high calibre that even George Best joined in the applause. He had a hand in it himself of course but full credit goes to Vic`s substitute Ian Harrison who eluded a couple of defenders before sending a fierce shot past Larter from a difficult angle. Alan Swankie another of Vic`s newcomers almost wrapped the match up six minutes from time with a 25-yard drive which rebounded off both posts and into the keepers arms. Although Best was limping noticeably long before the match ended he managed to last the full 90 minutes and indeed seemed to find his second wind as he rushed of the park before being engulfed by over-enthusiastic youngsters. Long after he was enjoying the pleasures of a hot bath the crowds hung around Gayfield for a glimpse of their hero, and he obliged by signing autographs for all and sundry as he left to fulfil his engagements at the Vic`s Social Club.

The only disappointing feature of the afternoon was that so few people had turned up for the game, possibly the late withdrawal of the Ipswich stars, John Wark, Alan Brazil and George Burley had an effect on the gate. The first two, were injured on a pre-season tour of America. And were unable to play at Aberdeen the previous day and telephoned the Vic`s secretary Jimmy Smith with their apologies.