George Best fans are in for a treat on Thursday July 4 as Bohemians host a special screening of Football As Never Before in Dalymount.
Shot in 1971 using eight 16mm cameras by German director Hellmuth Costard, the 90-minute film focuses on Bestie for the whole of Man U’s 1970 league encounter with Coventry City.
Lost for decades, it was rediscovered by Matthew Nolan, a Dublin musician who supplies the new score.
“The sun shone on Old Trafford on 12th September 1970 as Manchester United beat Coventry 2:0 in a league match,” we’re told. “It was not an important victory; that season Man Utd would only be also-rans in the race for the championship. But a record was preserved of the match that is probably unique in the history of film and television. Using eight 16mm cameras, Hellmuth Costard, one of the most important experimental filmmakers in German cinema of the 60s and 70s, followed every move over the 90 minutes of the man in the red jersey with the number 11 - traditionally associated with the conventional outside left, but here worn by the mercurial George Best.”
Also screening on the pitch in front of the Jodi Stand are Zozimus, an 18-minute short filmed at last year’s Bohs-Rovers derby, which ended in 3-1 victory for the hosts, and a 1930 newsreel about the club.
Gates open at 7pm with the main feature on at nine. There will, of course, be popcorn and cold brews supplied by Bohs' Porterhouse neighbours.
Bag your tickets at bohemianfc.com