A HOLY TRINITY?

Tommy Trinder (below with Alan Mullery), some may remember him? knew about show business and as Chairman of  "the then", Second Division, Fulham FC, he thought that he might entertain the Craven Cottage crowd by signing a few super stars. In August 1976, during one of the hottest and driest Summers in the UK. Tommy signed the legendry, but sometimes troublesome, George Best and the equally extraordinary, Rodney Marsh. No, the sun had not melted Tommy's brain or bank account. Best walked out of Manchester United in 1974 and Marsh did the same, from Man City, a year later. They both ended up in the USA, Best playing for the Los Angeles Aztecs and Marsh at Tampa Bay Rowdies. BUT Trinder got them as a pair, signing for Fulham during the North American Soccer League "off-season.

The signature performance by these two came on this day in 1976, with Best hitting a post from 30 yards, Marsh scoring twice, a curling shot which you should see on the video, below. THE ABIDING memory will be Best accidentally tackling Marsh and the Rodney deliberately re-tackling team mate, Best.  This was truly a Maverick phenomenom.

Another short film, this one from September 25th 1976

1976/77 - Fulham v Hereford (Division 2 - 25.9.76)  or/and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZyAcNJ7Lg  , Brian Moore, George Best's girlfriend and the "strengthened" Fulham side, which at the time was an attraction.

As the season went on, Best began to "tackle" himself, becoming one of the first players to "earn" the newly introduced RED CARD during a Football League match against Southampton. Best was then fined £75 or making an abscene gesture towards the referee at Chelsea. In February he drove his car into a lamp post in front of the Harrods store at 4 in the morning after spending the evening out at "dinner" and then following it up with a venture at Tramps, the well known disco/club. Best claimed that he wasn't "breath tested" and claimed that it would have been "negative" any way. 

Fulham ended the season escaping relegation and Best and Marsh (shown below with Bobby Moore) went back to the States in the Summer. In 1977/8, Best came back to England at the start of the new season and lasted ONE game before a payment dispute caused an issue with the Cottagers, with his "showbusiness having turned into a soap opera".