Dunstable was the first in a series of fleeting appearances Best made at clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s – from Stockport County to Hong Kong Rangers, via Hibernian, Fulham and spells in the United States with the North American Soccer League.
It all helped fund a champagne lifestyle which spawned his famous quote about spending money on booze, women and fast cars: “The rest I just squandered.”
His affairs became increasingly chaotic as alcoholism took hold. He eventually needed a liver transplant and died aged 59 in 2005.
“It was such a shame. He tried everything to stop him being an alcoholic, but it got the better of him,” says Fry, who went on to manage Barnet, Maidstone, Southend United, Birmingham City and Peterborough United.
“He was a different man when he was drunk and became aggressive. It just wasn’t him.
“As a person, one to one, he was a lovely, intelligent man with a dry sense of humour.”
While Best’s fortunes suffered, so did Dunstable’s. Cheeseman had been a shady benefactor, with Astle suggesting in his biography that he gave Docherty £1,000 to ensure Dunstable faced United.
“About a year later, the chairman Keith got put inside for embezzlement – six years for embezzling nearly £300,000 – so the players weren’t getting paid,” says Fry.
Best turned out for a third, and final time, against neighbours Luton Town in a match which raised money for the players.
Cheeseman’s dealings would leave Dunstable Town in liquidation. He later admitted involvement in a 1990 conspiracy to sell nearly £300m of bonds stolen at knifepoint in the world’s biggest mugging.
Meanwhile, Best went on to guest at Astle’s West Brom testimonial, repeated the trick for Fry when he managed Barnet and Maidstone, and was twice a guest speaker at Peterborough.
“He turned up for everything, which was a miracle in itself,” says Fry, who was invited when Best was the subject of the This Is Your Life programme.
“I said to him: ‘I can’t believe you came to play for me at Dunstable.’
“He said: ‘Baz, I’ll never forget you, mate. I used to send my wages to my mum and dad. You helped me out with the money you gave me for the complimentary tickets.’
“Honestly, I had a lump in my throat. To be so loyal, to me – small fry – when he reached the top of the game.
“It’s mind-blowing. He said to take it as a compliment – you helped me a lot, and didn’t even know.”