BONHAMS To Auction George Best Treasures

Chester, UK - Bonhams Auctions of England will be selling the very best of George Best.  The legendary Irish footballer who passed away in 2005, was considered by many as the first pop icon in the sport.

Having plied his skills on 5 continents, the gifted yet troubled star was the hero to millions especially his beloved Manchester United fans.

Up for sale is cream of his accomplishments, including the 1968 European Cup Winners medal, his last Northern Ireland team jersey, and a limited edition Fabrege Egg created to honor George Best's career.

Of special interest is the American Soccer League presentation award (below) for services to soccer in the United States. The I.S.A. provided specific photographs and information on this particular artifact for the auction.

(George Best and Noel Lemon)

Beginning in 1976, Best played for the Los Angeles Aztecs, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and finished with the San Jose Earthquakes in 1981.

In addition, the auction includes many Manchester United items from paintings to actual player's seats from the stadium at Old Trafford.

The auction will be held in Chester on Wednesday, October 20th.

I.S.A. Acquires the "Noel Lemon collection"

Noel Lemon is one of the pioneers of the modern professional era of American soccer. He brought an NASL Championship to Oklahoma with the Tulsa Roughnecks and the ASL and National Championship to Florida's Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The effects of the Strikers on the South Florida community is still endeared to this day. The Chamber of Commerce recognition award (below) was presented to the club after winning the National title.

Lemon was also instrumental in bringing top level international soccer to the United States when almost none existed. He organized the Marlboro Cup - a star studded international event that allowed the US National Team to prepare for their first World Cup in 40 years and give Americans the taste for quality international soccer.

During his tenure as GM of the Roughnecks, the club toured Britain and played against some of the historied clubs such as Cardiff City (Wales), Leicester City, Portsmouth and Derby County (England), as well as clubs from Holland and Bermuda.

The gift that was exchanged between Tulsa and Derby Couty F.C. (below) was this magnifcent statue of a ram - the nickname of Derby County club.

The Marlboro Cup (played from 1987 to 1990) hosted in several American cities, included visits from Millionarios, America de Cali and Atletico Nacional (Colombia), Colo-colo (Chile), Sporting Cristal and Alianza Lima (Peru), Benfica and Sporting (Portugal), Club America and Atlas (Mexico), Juventus (Italy) and Flamengo (Brazil).

The US World Cup Team was also able to play other National sides from South Korea, Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Russia and Poland.

The silver presentation coupet (above) was made by the famous Tiffany & Company. It is one of the many fine gifts exchanged during the tournament which was held at various times in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to exhibit these artifacts" says I.S.A. Historical Director Chuck Zsolnai. "We are pleased that Noel's work and the legacy from this era of American Soccer will be preserved for future generations."

There are plans for a touring exhibit and the artifacts will be available for other museums to loan and organizations to research.