FOOTBALL superstar George Best - who died 10 years ago this week - was a familiar figure in Sale in the 1960s.

The Manchester United forward opened a boutique in the town in March 1966, and his presence at the opening triggered great excitement.

The Sale Guardian report on the event said many school children took an unofficial 'holiday' to be there.

It went on: "Police were called in to control swarms of teenagers who poured into the shop chanting, screaming and fainting when they caught a glimpse of the football star."

It seems George was often at the Cross Street clothes shop over the next few years. The shop is now the base of estate agent Ashworth Holme.

Now friends and Manchester United fans Paul Collier and Stuart Bolton are researching George's haunts in the Manchester area, including the Sale boutique, with a view to writing a book.

And they are keen to hear from anyone who has information about the shop, which they believe closed in around 1970.

Paul said: "We'd like to hear about any Sale residents who may have any memories of the aforementioned shop when it was George's boutique nearly 50 years ago - what they remember of the shop, whether they visited it, what they bought or whether George ever served them.

"We would also like to find out what the businesses were next to it at the time and what the shop became after George sold it."

Paul was a friend of George's and worked with him on his autobiography 'Blessed' and also wrote a book about him - 'Remember Me for My Football' with Best's agent, Phil Hughes.

Paul said: "He was unassuming, quiet, self-effacing intelligent and very sharp, with an incredible sense of humour.

"He was just an ordinary guy."

Stuart said people's fascination with George - dubbed 'El Beatle'- went beyond his prodigious football talents: "He was flawed, like we all are. He was such a good looking lad.

"He was more than a sporting idol, he was a pop idol."

Paul said: "If George was around now the publicity would be crazy. People like Beckham would fade into insignificance."

*Anyone with memories of George in Sale should email cgriffin@messengergrp.co.uk.