A new George Best exhibition is set to open in Manchester

A new George Best exhibition is set to open in Manchester this November, marking 20 years since his passing.

The new 40-piece exhibition, titled George Best: 20 Years of Immortal Legacy, is a collaboration between Best’s son Calum and contemporary artist Aidan Phelan, who has previously reimagined British cultural icons from Oasis to Amy Winehouse.

The exhibition will tour Belfast, Manchester and London, with the Manchester showcase taking place on Fri 24 Oct at Hotel Football.

The series of works captures various moments from Best’s life, ranging from his breathtaking skills on the pitch to his famously hedonistic lifestyle.

Born in Belfast in 1946, Best joined Manchester United at just 15 and made his debut two years later. By 22, he had won the European Cup, a Ballon d’Or, and cemented himself in Manchester’s folklore, though his life off the pitch was just as frequently a subject of tabloid headlines.

Best’s life was cut tragically short when he died in 2005. For Calum, born to George and his first wife Angie in 1981, this project is as much about preserving his father’s story as it is about art. He said: “With 20 years coming up since my dad’s passing, I knew I had to do something significant to mark the milestone.

“Finding the right artist was important — I needed someone who knew me, who knew football, and, more importantly, who knew my dad.

“Over the years I’ve been proud to honour him through charity football matches and endless fundraising, but this time I wanted to create something that would truly stand the test of time.”

Jessica Southworth, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Football, said: “George Best is not only one of United’s greatest all-time players, but he’s also one of the most iconic world stars to ever play the game.

“On the anniversary of his passing, it’s only fitting to honour his incredible life with a showcase of art that’s as dramatic and colourful as the man himself.

“We’re incredibly proud to showcase the works and can’t wait to welcome fans to Hotel Football on November 24^th for what we know we will be an amazing event.”