Clyde Best confronted racism after arriving at West Ham as an 18-year-old in 1968
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Clyde Best played for West Ham in the 1960s and 70sopen image in gallery
Clyde Best played for West Ham in the 1960s and 70s (Getty)
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Clyde Best, a pioneering figure for black footballers in England, famously confronted the racism he encountered upon arriving from Bermuda as a teenager with his exceptional talent on the pitch.
"I was always taught, when you go to England, you're not playing for yourself, you're playing for those coming after you," Best, now 75, told Reuters.
"If I would have let the fans rattle me, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now when a large percentage of players of colour are playing in the league."
Best's remarkable journey, from a football-obsessed youngster in Bermuda to joining West Ham United in 1968, is now chronicled in a new film, "Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story."
The documentary premiered this week at Sadler's Wells East, a stone's throw from the London Stadium where West Ham now play – a stark contrast to the raucous atmosphere of Upton Park in the 1970s, an era marked by widespread football hooliganism and less enlightened attitudes.
Despite the challenges, Best found a home in London's East End, initially living with Jessie Charles, mother to fellow black players John and Clive.
Best shared a dressing room with Geoff Hurst (left), Bobby Moore (centre) and Martin Peters (right)open image in gallery
Best shared a dressing room with Geoff Hurst (left), Bobby Moore (centre) and Martin Peters (right) (Getty Images)
"When I was playing, people got to know who you were," Best recalled. "Living in East London, you know the right people, you know what I mean?"
Stepping into a West Ham dressing room alongside World Cup heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters might have been daunting, but Best describes them as welcoming, singling out Moore as one of the "greatest human beings" he has ever met.
However, away matches presented a different challenge. Best vividly remembers a particular game at Everton’s Goodison Park.
"They were giving me what we call the monkey chant," he said. "I got tired of it this day and I said to Frank Lampard, ‘when you get the ball up, just give it to me’.
“I carried the ball from outside our box all the way to the Everton goal. The boy Terry Darracott was holding my shirt, I just dragged him along. As the goalkeeper came, I just dropped my shoulder and clipped the ball over the top of his head. And the jeers turned into cheers."
Everton's Joe Royle later told him: "Clyde, that is the best goal I’ve ever seen here."
On another occasion, Best received a sinister letter threatening an acid attack on the eve of a game.
"Bobby (Moore) organised the players into a cordon on both sides of the tunnel. I’ve never run so fast in my life as in that game," Best recounted.
Best made his West Ham debut at 18 under manager Ron Greenwood against Arsenal, going on to score 58 goals in 218 appearances.
In 1972, West Ham made history by becoming the first English club to field three black players in the same starting XI, with Best alongside Ade Coker and Clive Charles.
Les Ferdinand said Best deserves to be recognised (Mike Egerton/PA)open image in gallery
Les Ferdinand said Best deserves to be recognised (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)
His enduring legacy has inspired generations of black players. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright chose the number eight shirt in his honour, while former England striker Les Ferdinand, who attended the film's premiere, hailed Best as a pioneer.
"He trod that path, before any of us. He needs to be recognised," Ferdinand stated.
Best now resides back in Bermuda but still attends West Ham games, despite the "heartache" they sometimes cause him.
His philosophy for life remains simple: treat people the way you want to be treated – a lesson learned through adversity and passed on with hope.