Notorious womaniser George Best's little black book of contacts including names and numbers of all his girlfriends has sold at auction in Rayleigh. 

The famous footballer is thought by many to be the sport's first celebrity - known for his scoring both on and off the pitch.

He was romantically linked to a long list of women over his career, with his long hair, good looks and popularity leading him to be dubbed 'the fifth Beatle'.

And Belfast boy Best, who died in 2005, once quipped: "I used to go missing a lot... Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World."

The icon's personal address book from 1969 - the height of his fame - was sold in an online auction for £1,500.

The description of the lot said: "This was the personal property of George Best and contained all his main contacts including parents, girlfriends and newspaper reporters."

A note is also penned inside the book, reading: "With love, from George".

Best, a Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend, was one of the first footballers to live the playboy lifestyle.

He once said: "If you'd given me the choice of going out and beating four men and smashing a goal in from 30 yards against Liverpool or going to bed with Miss World, it would have been a difficult choice.

"Luckily, I had both."

But his outgoing personality came at a cost, leading to alcoholism which eventually contributed to his death.

The little black book was flogged for £1,500 by Stacey's Auctioneers and Valuers, in Rayleigh, and Football Wanted.

Dave Alexander, of the sporting firm, said he hadn't been able to look inside the book due to coronavirus.

He added: "We couldn't bring the items to Essex because of lockdown, so I can't tell you any juicy stories. But I would have loved to have had a look at it!"

The shirt Best wore on his international debut was also bought during the same auction, for £13,000.