Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Fri 27 March 2026 10:36, UK

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Harry Redknapp spoke with fond memories of West Ham United footballers Clyde Best, Clive Charles and John Charles at the London premiere of Transforming the Beautiful Game – The Clyde Best Story.

Directed by Dan Egan, the new documentary focuses on the story of the former Iron, who arrived in England at just the age of 17, becoming one of the first black players to star in the top flight.

The Bermudian forward played 218 games and scored 58 goals for the Hammers between 1968 and 1976, all while dealing with a barrage of racial abuse on a regular basis.

Best would ultimately leave to join the North American Soccer League in 1976, helping shape the growth of football in the country.

The former West Ham footballer’s remarkable story is set to screen in Bermuda next month before embarking on an American city tour in May and June.

Harry Redknapp recalls ‘incredible memories’

Best enjoyed special memories at West Ham, and the story of his arrival as a 17-year-old in London is a staggering one.

After making the flight from Bermuda, the forward had been left to make his own way from the airport with nobody there to greet him.

Eventually, he was directed to the train station, but mistakenly exited at the West Ham stop instead of Upton Park.

A lost Best was directed to the home of the mother of Clive and John Charles, who invited him in and cared for him for several years.

All three players would go on to make appearances for West Ham, with John Charles becoming the first black player to ever appear for the club in the First Division in 1963.

Speaking at Sadler’s Wells East at Thursday’s premiere, Redknapp recounted: “Seeing them boys there, seeing Johnny Charles, Clive Charles, they were a band of brothers, weren’t you, Clyde?

“You know the three of them were. And him [Best] and Clive went everywhere together. Even to America, they ended up playing together in Portland. It brought back incredible memories to see them.”

West Ham pioneers paved the way

To be a young black player in such an environment was tremendously difficult.

Best and the Charles brothers were subjected to regular racist abuse, with no recourse for those chanting it from the stands.

As his documentary portrays, Best’s rise above the hatred to receive huge acclaim in England was a staggering achievement, and a story that must be told.

You can watch Transforming the Beautiful Game – The Clyde Best Story at Sadler’s Wells East on 27-28 March by booking tickets here.