Fans compare new George Best statue to ‘zombie in Spandau Ballet’

Football fans have had mixed reactions to a statue of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend George Best, with one observer comparing it to “a zombie in Spandau Ballet”.

‘His own sister Barbara said that it was an incredible likeness’

Sculptor Tony Currie

Another onlooker called the bronze facade simply “embarrassing”, while a third has compared it to Tipp-Ex pocket mouse.

The sculpture was revealed on Wednesday outside the Olympia Leisure Centre near Windsor Park in Belfast. 22 May 2019 would have been Best’s 73rd birthday.

Some were delighted to see their hero immortalised, but, as is always the case with such tributes, critics have been far more vocal.

“So, this new statue of George Best – any chance you can make it look like he was a zombie in Spandau Ballet?”

“No problem, mate” pic.twitter.com/tixddOiiNg

— Jason (@NickMotown) May 22, 2019

That new George Best statue is some craic #hello pic.twitter.com/urfVo9b5vD

— Leesa Harker (@Leesaharker) May 22, 2019

Zoom in on the crowds expressions……probably says it all!
I love #GeorgeBest ……am I the only one who feels slightly robbed?#YouHadOneJob pic.twitter.com/5NzF3jUctr

— Stephen Clements (@radiostephen) May 23, 2019

‘Incredible likeness’

“People are entitled to their opinions, but the most important people are his family and his fans,” Belfast sculptor Tony Currie told UTV.

“His own sister Barbara said that it was an incredible likeness.”

The artist said despite divided opinions, he’s happy with his work, and so are the Best family. Mr Currie has been working on the rendition for a number of years.

It was initially funded by himself, and later by fellow fans of the Belfast-born star. He said it took him countless hours to complete, but seeing it erected in “such a prominent place makes it all worthwhile”.

Am I the only one seeing Columbo? pic.twitter.com/ArqRjZta6u

— Eimeid MacCearain (@Culchie_Culture) May 23, 2019

It's just as well there's a picture of George Best here, because I would never be able to tell it was him from this newly-unveiled sculpture! pic.twitter.com/YJspKn0nFt

— Neil Drysdale (@NeilDrysdale) May 23, 2019

The new George Best sculpture pic.twitter.com/kpUg7LxhfG

— Andrew Vickerman (@andyvickerman) May 23, 2019

Ronaldo

Mr Currie isn’t the only sculptor to be at the receiving end of statue-based derision.

In March 2017, Emanuel Santos sparked a torrent of abuse after unveiling a bronze statue of Cristiano Ronaldo at Madeira Airport in Portugal.

Such was the disdain for the piece that in January last year, the depiction of the Juventus and Portugal ace was replaced with one of a better likeness. You can never please everyone – some locals weren’t happy about the new replica.

While in 2011, tennis champion Andy Murray was shown a statue in which he was dressed as an ancient Chinese warrior ahead of the Shanghai Masters.

Ever stoic, few, if anyone could tell what Murray really thought of the statue.

Best, born in 1946, played for United 361 times, scoring 137 goals. He is regarded to have been one of the greatest players of all time.