Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

James Lawton: Best and worst scenario if Rooney loses plot

Tuesday 29 March 2005 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

George Best, dear and dishevelled and endlessly self-deluding George, goes beyond irony - and poignancy - when he says of his former wife, "When Alex has got the devil drink in her she completely loses the plot."

George Best, dear and dishevelled and endlessly self-deluding George, goes beyond irony - and poignancy - when he says of his former wife, "When Alex has got the devil drink in her she completely loses the plot."

Not, however, in the matter of the couple's divorce proceedings. Alex, a former air steward, gets the £750,000 marital home in Surrey, £80,000 maintenance money to keep her going before the publication of a tell-all autobiography, and George's beloved red setters. He gets to keep a Chelsea flat said to be worth £350,000, which might just be big enough to swing a feline replacement for the lost dogs.

The former Mrs Best has talked copiously about Best's drunken rages and erratic lifestyle and he probably would not argue that over the years he has been something of a handful. But why is it so hard to believe that in his accident-strewn life George has ever hurt anybody quite so much as himself?

That he should now accuse someone else of losing the plot would be funny in most circumstances other than those of his own tragic life.

It is one reason why every time you hear of Wayne Rooney in a nightclub there is an old stab of concern. Best lost the plot early and there must be fears that the same might happen to the best player produced in these islands since then.

One fact Rooney might just consider is that Best never lacked help or encouragement on his mission.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in