The father of footballing legend George Best has died in hospital aged 88.
Dickie Best was surrounded by his family as he passed away in the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.
A statement by his surviving son and four daughters said: 'He was an irreplaceable father whose bravery, integrity, wisdom and above all love shaped our lives.'
It added: 'He was a towering influence in our lives. He was our hero and it is hard to imagine life without him.'
Mr Best, a former shipyard worker whose footballing son died in November 2005, had been under intensive care suffering multiple organ failure.
Manchester United fans as well as the club paid moving tributes to the man who spent virtually all his married life in a modest terraced house in Burren Way on Belfast's Cregagh estate. It was here that George first emerged to become a football icon.
Mr Best's wife Anne died in 1978. It is expected that Mr Best will be buried alongside his late wife and son in the family plot at Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast.
Manchester United FC tonight paid tribute to the father of one of their greatest players.
'Dickie was hugely proud of his son George's achievements at Manchester United and was always a welcome guest here at Old Trafford,' said a club statement.
'Everyone at the club was saddened to hear the news of Dickie's sad passing and we send our condolences to the Best family, as do, we're sure, United fans all around the world.'
