sports
March 12, 2026
'I knew I had some responsibility': Clyde Best on being English football’s first black superstar
Best left Bermuda at 17 and joined West Ham, with Bobby Moore among his teammates, but he also faced horrendous abuse
TL;DR
- Clyde Best left Bermuda at 17 for a trial at West Ham, inspired by his father's advice to represent those who came after him.
- He became an inspirational figure in English football, with players like Ian Wright and Viv Anderson citing his impact.
- Best faced significant racism, including monkey chants and death threats, but chose not to retaliate, aware of his responsibility.
- He became the first black footballer to score over 50 goals for West Ham and was part of the first English club to field three black players in a starting XI.
- After leaving England in 1975, Best joined the North American Soccer League, winning the Soccer Bowl with Tampa Bay Rowdies and befriending Pelé.
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