FOOTBALL legend and one-time Cherries player George Best was last night fighting for life in the intensive care unit of a London hospital.

Best, who joined AFC Bournemouth in 1983, is currently receiving treatment for an infection in the private Cromwell Hospital. His condition is described as "serious but improving".

The 59-year-old former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had a liver transplant in 2002 after years of heavy drinking.

His subsequent efforts to beat alcoholism failed and he fell off the wagon in spectacular fashion, pleading guilty to drink driving, and divorcing his second wife Alex.

Terry Baker, of A1 Sporting Speakers in Christchurch, has known Best for around nine years and was due to meet him next week to discuss forthcoming work.

He said: "He hadn't had a drink for a while and I was optimistic about getting our tour back on the road.

"He's a lovely guy, though he's obviously been a fool to himself through the years. He once told me he would rather have five good years enjoying himself than 15 years of misery.

"He's great fun to be with, really mischievous. He knows he's messed up and on a wistful day, he would admit so, but on the other hand he's enjoyed himself."

AFC Bournemouth were struggling in Division Three when Best played his five games in a Cherries shirt.

More than 9,000 fans descended on Dean Court for his first appearance against Newport County but Best's performance was slated by the media.

Crowds dropped off and Best soon found himself gracing the front pages rather than the back following his high-profile split with ex-Miss World Mary Stavin.

Despite his inauspicious time on the south coast, Best has returned to Bournemouth several times and chose the Pavilion Theatre for his comeback performance following his transplant operation in 2002.

His An Audience With... session was well received and was the first in a series of monthly performances for Best as he fought back to full health.

Best has always maintained a "soft spot" for the town and once told the Daily Echo: "I took a lot of pleasure from my short spell in Bournemouth."

First published: October 3