George Best's Mourne magic and Irish League goalkeeper's 'damn good' penalty save on one special day in May

Despite abilities once so revered across the biggest stages of the beautiful game now in decline, Best still managed to sprinkle some of his remaining magic dust on a fund-raiser for football in Annalong and favour for a friend.

With Tuesday (November 25) marking the 20th anniversary of his death, generations of football fans will pause to remember a man who still stands celebrated in the eyes of many simply as the greatest.

And alongside the highlight reels and column inches devoted in praise of Best’s singular talent, one man can offer up a story rare if not unique.

Bobby Carlisle, like Best, was happy to accept an invitation to lend support that May day in 1982.

With the appeal of sharing the pitch with a hero of the game like Best incentive enough, Carlisle walked away with a moment to treasure.

"It was an exhibition game to help Annalong Rovers organised by my very good friend John Peacock,” said Carlisle. "Played on the most picturesque pitch I think I've ever played on, at the foot of the Mournes.

"Obviously no-one was going to turn down the opportunity of playing on the same pitch as George Best...I was delighted just to be there as part of an Irish League Select."

And Carlisle, highly-respected for a life between the posts across Irish League football, enjoys the status of having saved a penalty kick by Best.

“Yes, I saved a penalty and it actually was a damn good save, I'm going to say so myself,” said Carlisle with a laugh. "A penalty was awarded, a big moment in the game.

"There was only ever going to be one man taking it.

"I will boast I'm probably the only person ever to save a penalty from George Best.

"I don't think he ever took a penalty...at United they had Bobby Charlton and he buried a penalty in the back of the net.

"The game attracted a really good crowd and they were going absolutely ballistic...they were about to see George Best score.

"And I became the villain of the piece.

"Because he popped it quite well down into my bottom-right corner.

"And I used a simple little technique, I had a good record in penalties.

"As the ball was being put down, I used to take no more than about half a pace, maybe less than that, to one side or the other.

"When the kicker looked up, I looked as if I had moved already, anticipating the ball to go to that side...I actually was giving him more space the other side but not very much.

"And he put it where I left the space down to the bottom right, just tucked inside the post but I got down.

"Now, if they had VAR they'd probably say I was away before the kick was hit!

"There was one particular lady behind the goal screaming and shouting at me (for saving it) but I was getting all the players come up."

Carlisle thinks back to a win for his side “by 6-2 or 6-3” and accepts Best did manage to get one in the back of the net – not that conceding to the legendary figure could take anything away from the day to remember.

"A cross came in from the left wing and the 6ft tall goalkeeper was out-jumped by 5ft-something George Best, who scored,” said Carlisle. "And George himself was great (after the penalty stop), he ran up and patted me on the head and said ‘well saved’.

"No question, he was magnanimous, just a lovely guy.

"After the game he was sitting in maybe the school's assembly hall...quite a quiet, reclusive guy sitting basically on his own.

"I did go over and sit down beside him and have a little chat...he was really great.

"I never got an autograph in my life, never felt that way and I was never a hero worshipper - apart from Harry Gregg (Northern Ireland and Manchester United legend)...that's why I became a goalkeeper.

"I sat down and just had a chat with George.

"Then fortunately a few years later when I was doing some work with the BBC at Northern Ireland games I would interview George.

"He was brilliant, a really great analyst and so easy to chat with at half-time...he was excellent."