As the tenth anniversary of George Best’s death approaches plenty of tales will be told. Many will recall endless benders, sozzled hellraising and prolific womanising.

Some of his old quotes may even be banded around. ‘I spent most of my money on booze, birds and cars, the rest I just squandered,’ etc etc.

At Old Trafford, Best’s spiritual home, they will belt out the new terrace favourite to the tune of Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky: ‘When I die and they lay me to rest, I’m going to go on the p*** with Georgie Best.’ But 5,200 miles away, in Northern California, one ex-teammate has a different story to tell.

George Best spent a spell with San Jose Earthquakes in the US towards the end of his career

Magazine covers show Best posing in an Earthquakes shirt and in action for the MLS side

The 10th anniversary of the legend's death is approaching after he sadly passed away on November 25 2005

United greats Sir Alex Ferguson (right) and Bryan Robson pay tribute to the star following his death

Chris Dangerfield speaks with @ManUtd TV at Spartan Stadium to talk about Quakes & United legend George Best pic.twitter.com/ZkYVXPacWB — San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) May 13, 2015

Birmingham born Chris Dangerfield played alongside Best at the San Jose Earthquakes. He lived with the Northern Irishman and first wife Angie for a short time after following him up the Pacific Coast Highway from the LA Aztecs in 1981 and had an up close and personal view of a new father desperately trying to overcome a disease which would eventually kill him.

‘I was never one of those who was out until 4am with him chasing the birds because let’s face it he didn’t need any help with that,’ explains Dangerfield, who headed to the US after coming through the ranks at Wolves.

‘During the period I lived with him and Angela he was actually trying to get sober. Calum, his son, was so young and George wanted to get his act together.’ Dangerfield, now 60, reveals that Best’s quest for sobriety took them to some surprising places — and even to a new sport.

He laughs at the memories. ‘We used to go to movies,’ he says, ‘have cups of tea, strange things you do when you are trying not to drink and find ways to fill the days.

‘Angela went out and bought him the most expensive set of golf clubs from the local golf club — Pings — God knows why.’ It quickly became apparent that Best’s sporting talent did not extend to the fairways of the Bay Area.

Dangerfield laughs again. ‘He was the worst golfer you have ever seen in your life. He tried to hit everything with a three iron because that was the only one he could hit. He tried all his new clubs but the three iron was the one. He wasn’t bad with that but he was crap with the rest. It didn’t last long.’

Best was renowned for his playboy lifestyle but ex-team-mate Chris Dangerfield says there was more to him

Dangerfield spent some time living with the Bests before marrying Angie's sister

The Manchester United icon wanted to give up drinking for the sake of his family - wife Angie and son Callum

Dangerfield’s memories are of a different man to the playboy many revere. Of an articulate, intelligent and well-read thinker.

‘He was such a lovely guy when he wasn’t on the booze,’ he explains. ‘He loved to go to movies, loved to talk and could hold a conversation on any subject. If there’s one thing I try to portray about the time I was with him is that he was just more than a boozer off the field.’

While Best’s efforts to stay off the bottle would ultimately end in defeat, Dangerfield believes there were times when external factors played their part.

‘We would go to a pub but we would play darts and have a cup of tea, God’s honest truth,’ he explains. ‘One of the owners would come over and whisper to me “I’ve put vodka in his tea, he’ll be OK”.

‘I mean, what the f*** are you doing? These are people who wanted his time, who just wanted to be his friend but didn’t realise what they were doing.’

A picture of Best playing for San Jose is seen outside the stadium of the American club

Best also played for the Los Angeles Aztecs (above) and Fort Lauderdale Strikers during his time in the US

Best scored what he rated as the best goal of his career while playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers (right)

Best played 56 times for the Earthquakes, scored 21 goals and left an indelible mark.

At the two-time MLS champions’ former Buck Shaw Stadium home they named a gate after him while at their stunning, futuristic 18,000 Avaya Stadium, in Silicon Valley, a reminder of the past in the form of a Best banner hangs down in one of the concourses.

On it he is wearing the same kit he was in when he scored the goal he reckoned was the best of his career after going on a belief-defying run and beating what appeared to be half of a bamboozled Fort Lauderdale Strikers team.

‘Kenny Fogarty, a Manchester lad who had played for Stockport, was the last guy, the sweeper,’ Dangerfield says. ‘He said as George was coming at them he feigned to go to the left, dropped his shoulder and went to the right, feigned to the right, dropped his shoulder and went to the left and by the time he got to him he was seasick!’

Best had a close relationship with former Earthquakes owner Milan Mandaric, pictured together in 2004

Manchester United players pay their respects to Best during a minute's silence before their game

Arsenal and Blackburn players also observe a minute's silence in memory of Best

Tributes to George Best are laid outside Old Trafford after he died at the age of 59

The end in San Jose for Best came when he lapsed into old habits and a new owner had seen enough.

‘George had the owner, Milan Mandaric, wrapped around his finger — he persuaded him to sign me — but the team was then bought by a successful but no-nonsense local businessman. When George disappeared he just said “That’s it — you’re off” and got rid of him.’

The rest is history. But does Dangerfield believe things may have been different had Best stayed in California? ‘The place suited him for what he wanted to do — but he couldn’t do it because he had a disease which followed him everywhere he went.’ A disease which claimed his life 10 years ago.

Dangerfield believes his old pal is now in a better place.

‘It was a few seconds in his life, really, but he made such an impact on me,’ he explains. ‘To be able to be a team-mate and a friend was special. I wish him all the peace because that’s what he needed more than anything else and I think he has that now.’

Dangerfield has remained in the US. He ended up marrying Angie’s sister, settled in the area and is now the Earthquakes colour commentator.

The Northern Irishman will always be best remembered for his moments of magic with Manchester United

Dangerfield hopes that his former friend has finally found the peace he deserved

One of the final pictures of Best before he lost his well documented battle with alcohol in 2005

Having witnessed first hand the rise, fall and rise again football in the US he believes the current version will stand the test of time.

‘I think the league is going really well,’ he says. ‘The average gate is around 24,000 per game and the league is starting to make good decisions. What is starting to bear fruit is the academy system. FC Dallas have six academy players in their team. Three start on a regular basis. Young American players coming through — that’s what needs to happen — you can’t just keep buying them.’

But is there an American George Best coming through the ranks?