Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by an extraudinary guest - Clyde Best. An absolute pioneer to the game, born in Bermuda, Clyde would become one of the first black players in First Division football in England. His new film, ‘Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story’ will be shown for a week at Sadler’s Wells East from 25th March.
In this episode, Clyde recounts arriving in England as a teenager, getting lost at West Ham station and being taken in by the Charles family. He reflects on his rise at West Ham, getting his debut against Arsenal under Ron Greenwood in 1969 and playing alongside the likes of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. Clyde talks of the his Bermuda upbringing, national team breakthrough and the influence that his father had on him. Best reflects on being one of the first prominent black players in English football, enduring racist abuse and an acid-attack threat and playing against Pelé. He also discusses NASL moves to Tampa Bay and Portland Timbers and the inspiration he provided players such as Ian Wright.
01:29 Lost at Heathrow
03:23 The Charles Family
06:59 Bermuda Beginnings
10:20 West Ham Dream
13:20 Ron Greenwood Impact
15:22 Fast Track Debut
18:35 Breaking Barriers
24:06 Facing Racism
31:03 Scoring Against Pelé
35:20 Leaving West Ham for the NASL
37:17 American Soccer Showmanship
43:01 Legacy as a Pioneer
46:57 Honorary Doctorate
49:44 His love for West Ham