George Best's European Cup medal sells for £300k

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. George Best's European Cup medal sells for £300kImage caption, Manchester United legend George Best played for the club in the 1960s and 1970sByStewart WhittinghamNorth WestPublished3 hours agoFootball legend George Best's European Cup winner's medal has sold for more than £300,000 at auction. Best scored in the 1968 final as Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 after extra-time at Wembley. The Northern Ireland international helped United to become the first English side to win the old European Cup, now known as the Champions League.

Best's medal was sold for £305,200 by auctioneers Bonhams in London after it had been offered by a private collector. Best scored United's second goal in the final after he dribbled round the Benfica goalkeeper. The Red Devils' victory came 10 years after the Munich Air Disaster in which eight members of Matt Busby's team, known as the Busby Babes, were among the 23 killed.

The Details

Image source, BonhamsImage caption, Manchester United won its first European Cup in 1968At the same Bonhams auction, the shirt belonging to the British referee in the 1974 World Cup Final sold for £28,160. Referee Jack Taylor famously awarded two penalties in the game between hosts West Germany and Holland in Berlin. Taylor booked Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff for diving.

West Germany won 2-1 to win the World Cup and beat the celebrated "total football" played by the Netherlands team of that era. Get in touchTell us which stories we should cover in Greater Manchester Contact form Contact formListen to the best of Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow Manchester on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

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