BELFAST MEMORIAL FOR THE BELFAST BOY

Last updated : 05 January 2006 By Ed

From RTE:

Plans to erect a permanent memorial to George Best in the grounds of Belfast City Hall were tonight unanimously approved by councillors.

A proposal to recognise the contribution the football legend made to sport in Northern Ireland had already been backed.

But, with the tribute expected to cost £100,000, the scheme had to be endorsed by Belfast City Council

No comments were made about the motion during the authority's monthly meeting and it was therefore passed without opposition.

Best, who was named European Footballer of the Year in his prime, is expected to be immortalised in a statue or a sculpture.

The surge in affection for the soccer icon, particularly in his home city of Belfast, has shown no sign of relenting since his funeral a month ago.

Belfast Telegraph:

Jim Rodgers, an Ulster Unionist councillor who suggested the memorial, stressed no dissent was expected.

He said: "It's now up to the family themselves. They are the key people, not the elected members.

"I have spoken to George's father Dickie, and he thinks it's a wonderful idea.

"Officers will take them to have a look at the grounds and discuss what they feel would be best to remember George."

The surge in affection for the soccer icon, particularly in his home city of Belfast, has shown no sign of relenting since his funeral a month ago.

A thousand people a day are still believed to be visiting Best's grave in the Castlereagh Hills overlooking the streets where he was raised.

"We have agreed there should be a lasting tribute or memorial, now the officers want to discuss this with the family to hear their views."

Meanwhile the same paper reports on the charity single:

The George Best charity tribute single was today sitting just outside the Top 10 in the UK charts.

The CD, which features songs by local singers Brian Kennedy and Peter Corry, has climbed up the charts from number 21 to number 11.

The Top 20 position has been helped by "phenomenal" sales of the CD in Northern Ireland, where it is currently the best-selling single.

According to retailers across Ulster, the CD has been "flying out" since its launch.

The tribute went on sale UK-wide on Boxing Day, but was in Ulster record shops since the Thursday before due to public demand.

It was at number 21 in the UK charts on Christmas Day but crept up to number 11 in the first official UK charts of 2006.

The three-track CD includes live recordings from Best's funeral by Kennedy and Corry.