Football scouts embark on a neocolonial mission

Joseph O’Neill delivers a sharp insight into the world of football scouting, where scouts’ searches for that special “immortal” player have increasingly focused on impoverished young players in South America and Africa

Joseph O'Neill. Photo: Graham Haber

“I think I have found you a genius.” In 1961, the scout Bob Bishop sent a telegram with those words to the Manchester United manager Matt Busby after he watched George Best play for the first time.

The story and the telegram would become part of the player’s legend. Unfortunately, there is no record of how many other scouts sent similar messages over the years.

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