Moray brothers' family link to George Best
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WHEN you are related to the great George Best, football should be in the blood.
And a family link with the late Manchester United legend is bringing the ‘Best’ out of four Elgin brothers battling it out in the local football scene.
For Moray welfare goal machine James McLaren (20) and his soccer siblings, Alex (21), Stewart (19) and Graham (17), have a remarkable claim to fame.
Their grandfather, William Best, was George’s cousin, and the Northern Irish superstar’s wondrous skills appear to have eased their way down his ancestral line to bless the young McLarens with talent.
Striker James is currently one of the most sought-after strikers in Moray, after plundering more than 50 goals for his welfare club Lossie AFC. Youngest brother and team-mate Graham has been one of his main providers in the team, as well as chipping in with an impressive haul himself.
And on Sunday, the Lossie pair lined up in direct opposition to their brothers Alex and Stewart, both of whom play for Division 1 rivals Bowl 2000.
All four have the Best blood coursing through their veins, with three of them scoring in a match which Lossie AFC won 6-2.
Alex explained their link to former European player of the year Best, who died in 2005 following a long battle with alcoholism.
“My dad James’ birth name was Best, and sadly my grandad William Best passed away when my dad was young. We’re related to George Best through my grandad, who was his cousin.”
The McLaren brothers took on their stepfather’s surname, but are true Best family stock and all love their football, just like their famous first cousin, twice removed.
“Obviously George Best was hugely famous, but there was another side to him as well. He was a football idol but he was not always the kind of idol you wanted to have, off the park,” Alex said.
“My dad says he does have memories of being in the car with George Best a few times. But it was not really something he spoke about much.
“We’re all into football and a lot of people say it comes naturally, in the blood if you like. For these three (brothers) it does come naturally.”
James added: “It’s a surprise to people when you say you’re related to George Best, and a lot of them don’t really believe you.”
See Friday's Northern Scot for full story.
