The true story of the iconic groundbreaking Clyde Best, the black football superstar in the modern TV Era in England and legend of the North America Soccer League (NASL).

FILM SYNOPSIS

Transforming the Beautiful Game is a first-hand look at the iconic groundbreaking journey and impact of Clyde Best the first black football superstar of the modern TV Era in England and became a soccer legend in the North America Soccer League (NASL). He was one of the first Black athletes to play in the English Premier League First Division. Recruited from Bermuda in 1968 to play for West Ham United in London when he was only 17, Best faced blatant racism and torment from fans, but met adversity with excellence, and in the process became a legendary goal-scoring striker and groundbreaking role model as he penetrated UK Culture in the 1970. This feature documentary explores how Best’s journey shaped the future of soccer worldwide, and the lingering inequalities in professional sports today.

CONSULTING PRODUCER:
Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is an Academy-Award nominated documentary film producer, director, and development executive who has been honored with four Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards. She has created programming for ESPN, HBO Sports, HBO Documentary Films, PBS, CNN, CBS Sports, and ABC Sports.

In 2019, she produced HBO’s highly acclaimed documentary We Are The Dream, as well as the multi-part documentary Vick for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series about former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, the number one pick in the 2001 NFL draft.

Julie was the director of documentary development for HBO Documentary Films and produced the Academy-Award nominated documentary God Is The Bigger Elvis. As a Senior Producer for ESPN, she created Emmy award winning magazine shows Outside the Lines and E:60 and was a senior producer on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

There has never been a better time to tell this story.

Themes: race, sports, combating discrimination, immigration, systemic change touches us all..

Storytelling tools: exclusive, intimate interviews, a wealth of unseen archival footage, a relevant story with modern connections, makes this a must see Documentary.

Our mission: create a powerful piece of nonfiction cinema worthy of acclaim. Clyde Best is a national hero and true legend of Bermuda, his impact on the game of Football in the UK can be see today and he helped to grow the sport of Soccer in the USA. The inspiring, powerful, authentically Bermudian is set to release in 2026 during the FIFA World Cup in North America.

We are proud to be an official International Documentary Association project. The International Documentary Association (IDA) supports the vital work of documentary storytellers and champions a thriving and inclusive documentary culture. Their “Fiscal sponsorship” classifies this project as a 501(c)(3) public charity for fundraising through grants and donations.

BERMUDIAN ORIGINS

IMG_9398b
  • Born in 1951, family of 8 siblings
  • Father worked as prison warden,
    played soccer in Naval yard
    adjacent to prison
  • Playing for Bermuda National team
    by age 15
  • Signed with West Ham United at the age of 17

BERMUDIAN ORIGINS

IMG_9398b
  • Born in 1951, family of 8 siblings
  • Father worked as prison warden,
    played soccer in Naval yard
    adjacent to prison
  • Playing for Bermuda National team
    by age 15
  • Signed with West Ham United at the age of 17

     

CLYDE'S CAREER

WEST HAM UNITED

  • 1968-1976
  • Age upon arrival: 17
  • 221 Games, 51 Goals as a Striker
  • Enduring racial discrimination: sent threatening letters,
    harassed by crowds
  • Became an adored West Ham Legend

WEST HAM UNITED

  • 1968-1976
  • Age upon arrival: 17
  • 221 Games, 51 Goals as a Striker
  • Enduring racial discrimination: sent threatening letters, harassed by crowds
  • Became an adored West Ham Legend 

USA CAREER

  • 1975-1984
  • 327 Games, 133 Goals, 100 Assists
  • One of the Black pioneers of North American soccer
  • High-profile foreign athletes brought to the US, instrumental in bringing sport into American culture
  • 1974: Birth of indoor soccer. Best is one of the key players to popularize sport variation worldwide
  • 1975: Best is part of the first season of Tampa Bay Rowdies existence
  • June 6, 1976: Best faces Pele playing for New York Cosmos, wins 5

USA CAREER

  • 1975-1984
  • 327 Games, 133 Goals, 100 Assists
  • One of the Black pioneers of North American soccer
  • High-profile foreign athletes brought to the US, instrumental in bringing sport into American culture
  • 1974: Birth of indoor soccer. Best is one of the key players to popularize sport variation worldwide
  • 1975: Best is part of the first season of Tampa Bay Rowdies existence
  • June 6, 1976: Best faces Pele playing for New York Cosmos, wins 5

CREATIVE TEAM

Dan Egan
Director/Producer
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Julie Anderson
Producer
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H. Nelson Tracey
Producer
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Dr. Dana Selassie
Line Producer: Bermuda
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Eldon H. Trimingham III
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Dr. Sajni Tolaram
Narrative Consultant, Bermuda
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Help us tell this story.

Clyde Best is a Bermuda legend who is admired and adored for both his career and community service on the island and around the world. His story has never been told in cinematic or television format. We are seeking partners who are passionate about bringing Clyde Best’s story to the big screen to audiences worldwide.

We are proud to have the International Documentary Association (IDA) as our fiscal sponsor. For US-based contributors, tax deductible donations may be made through the IDA.  Support this project directly through the IDA.

A donation as defined by the IRS is giving cash or property to a qualified non-profit without receiving anything in exchange or return. Funds given as donations to IDA in support of a fiscally sponsored project are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Please contact us if you would like to learn more ways to be involved.

We are proud to be an official International Documentary Association project. The International Documentary Association (IDA) supports the vital work of documentary storytellers and champions a thriving and inclusive documentary culture. Their “Fiscal sponsorship” classifies this project as a 501(c)(3) public charity for fundraising through grants and donations.

In the Press

Tampa Bay Rowdies Honor Club Legend Clyde Best

Tampa Bay Rowdies Honor Club Legend Clyde Best
YouTube 07/28/2024 Rowdies legend and 1975 NASL Soccer Bowl champion Clyde Best returned to Tampa Bay to be celebrated by …

Rowdies legend Clyde Best returns to Tampa Bay to be honored by team

Rowdies legend Clyde Best returns to Tampa Bay to be honored by team
Tampa Bay News Center 8 05/24/2024 TAMPA BAY, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Bay Rowdies legend Clyde Best was a member …

New mural of Timbers’ star Clyde Best unveiled at Providence Park

New mural of Timbers' star Clyde Best unveiled at Providence Park
09/22/2023 PORTLAND, Ore. — New art at Providence Park honors a Timbers’ legend. A mural of Clyde Best was unveiled …

Clyde Best film hailed as a showcase of resilience and excellence

Clyde Best film hailed as a showcase of resilience and excellence
The Royal Gazette 03/31/2022 The story of Clyde Best’s journey from being a little-known Somerset Trojans and Bermuda footballer to …

The “Best” Story to be Told About Bermudian Football Legend

The “Best” Story to be Told About Bermudian Football Legend
03/29/2022 This week, award-winning international film producers announced that a feature-length documentary depicting the life of Bermudian football legend, Clyde …

Clyde Best documentary starts to film on island

Clyde Best documentary starts to film on island
09/22/2022 A documentary delving into the life and career of Bermuda footballing legend Clyde Best has started to film on …

On Island Filming Commences For The Clyde Best Story

On Island Filming Commences For The Clyde Best Story
09/22/2022 News Release: Filming is underway in Bermuda this week for Transforming the Beautiful Game, The Clyde Best Story. Thisfeature-length …

Island Filming Commences For Clyde Best Story

Island Filming Commences For Clyde Best Story
09/21/2022 Filming is underway in Bermuda for Transforming the Beautiful Game, The Clyde Best Story. A spokesperson said, “Filming is …

Clyde Best film tackles racism in 1970s English football

Clyde Best film tackles racism in 1970s English football
03/30/2022 Clyde Best endured racism as one of the first black players in top tier English football. The Bermudian football …

Video: Documentary To Feature Clyde Best

Video: Documentary To Feature Clyde Best
Bernnews 03/30/2022 A feature-length documentary depicting the life of Bermudian football legend Clyde Best is underway, it was announced today …

Clyde Best Documentary Press Conference

Clyde Best Documentary Press Conference
03/29/2022 Press conference about the planned documentary on Bermudian football legend Clyde Best, which is described as “Transforming the Beautiful …

The Life and Legacy of Clyde Best

The Life and Legacy of Clyde Best
The Bermudian On July 11, 2021, England’s national football team faced off against Italy during the Euro Cup 2020 final …

Clyde Best – My Perfect Player: ‘The nicest? Bobby Moore – he took me under his wing when I was getting racial abuse’

Clyde Best – My Perfect Player: ‘The nicest? Bobby Moore – he took me under his wing when I was getting racial abuse’
The New York Times 01/09/2020 Clyde Best was one of the first black players to play in the First Division …