GREAT ENGINEER

George Best and I were thirsty pals, Jagger is a lovely man, Pele stayed at my house and I saw an elephant sneaked into The Oval... welcome to the wonderful world of wicketkeeping legend Farokh

- BY NEIL SQUIRES

THE indomitable Farokh Engineer will be back at his old stamping ground this week, sprinkling golden-age glitter over Old Trafford again.

Few cricketers put the swing into the Swinging Sixties and early Seventies quite like the swashbuckling Indian wicketkeeper-batsman with the Brylcreem promotional contract.

A Lancashire legend through his performances for the all-conquering Red Rose one-day side, his exploits off the field in the company of one George Best were equally noteworthy.

Engineer, 87, recalled: “The Manchester United players had homes near the Old Trafford cricket ground.

“George wasn't interested in cricket - he couldn't even spell the word - but he had just come from Northern Ireland, I had just come from India and somehow we became very good friends.

“He enjoyed a good curry and I loved good Irish stew. He was a rather thirsty lad and I wasn't far behind.