New Airport Name

Belfast City Airport has now been renamed - GEORGE BEST Belfast City Airport - hmmm lm really not sure how l feel about this. Yes he was a son of our city who died, and for a minute period of time was an excellent footballer (l am at this point taking other peoples word as a do not give a stuff about soccer!) but for the rest of his famous life he was a womanising player with a way too much fondness for booze (and whatever else) which unfortuneately lead to his demise.

Can he be put up there with the likes of JFK or John Lennon - who although had their faults still achieved more (in MY opinion obviously!)

Heather

As a name and a role model I think the name of the airport should have been:

JOEY DUNLOP

Here was a family man who was a great ambasator for NI and the motorbiking world, a true TT and roadracing legend.

Who done amazing things for charity (it was during a charity race where the great man lost his life).

This man never asked for anything, lived his life, didn't abuse it. Wasn't a overpaid playboy alcoholic.

[ Edit: Edited at May 27, 2006 3:01 AM by Jase007 ]

Have to say I don't really like this new trend of naming airports after people - I think there are only two airports in the UK so far, John Lennon and George Best (plus of course Robin Hood, not sure that counts!), but I find it slightly irritating. I remember some horrific proposal after Diana died to remane Heathrow 'Diana Airport' or 'Princess of Wales' airport or some such nonsence.

Should have been 'Ian Paisley international'.

A radio announcer here in Montreal gave a tongue-in-cheek commentary about George Best after he died. It went something to the effect of: why would people hold up as a role model someone who, having been given a new liver, went and squandered that one on alcohol, too, thus depriving someone else of a new chance at life. It's hard to have respect for a man who wasted his life and his talent so shamelessly, hbut then again I know diddly-squat about soccer.

Nothern Ireland must have a ton more worthy candidates!

I watch plenty of football, but I've never really been in awe of George Best the way I know some of my colleagues are. It's a shame he couldn't have put those skills to better use instead of wasting his life away on drink.

As for the new name of the airport... well... bit of a mouthful...

Welcome to our world... Anything that can be named in commemoration of some known or unknown person is renamed. Our stadiums are being bought out by corporations and renamed for them (ie: Staples Center - do not put "The" in front of it or you are subject to lawsuits). Down with renaming things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm serious!!!