Appeal for £80,000 George Best statue nets justs £2,000

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But almost two years after his death a fund set up to build an £80,000 statue of Belfast's favourite son has raised just £2,000 – and half of that was donated by Northern Ireland striker David Healy.

Organisers of the George Best Trust admit they are on the verge of giving up the project because of a lack of interest from former fans. They had hoped to unveil the statue on the second anniversary of Best's death – November 25.

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Family: Sister Barbara (left) and second wife Alex cuddle up to the late George

Belfast City Council set up the trust in the outpouring of emotion after the star's funeral, which was watched on TV by 100million people worldwide. But money has barely trickled in to the fund since it opened last December.

Trust spokesman Eamon Deeny admits he is disappointed.

He said: There has been very little interest from businesses or corporate groups and, even though there is still great affection for George, people don't seem to be donating."

Best enjoyed a dazzling career at Manchester United, where he started playing at the age of 15, but off-the-field temptations took their toll and he left in 1973 aged just 27. Despite appearing for Fulham and several American clubs, his career never hit the same heights and he began to spiral into a life of womanising and alcoholism.

Best was married twice – to Angela MacDonald-James and then to Alex Pursey.