The true story of the iconic groundbreaking Clyde Best, the first black football superstar in the modern TV era in England and legend of the North American 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.

Featuring Key Interviews

The film features in-depth interviews with some of football’s most respected voices and legends, including Ian Wright, Geoff Hurst, Viv Anderson, Garth Crooks, Rodney Marsh, Howard Gayle, and Harry Redknapp. The story is further strengthened by powerful contributions from Randy Horton, Bobby Barnes, Patrick Horne, Carlton Cole, Paul Davis, Ade Coker, and Kasey Keller, along with Clyde Best himself and many others whose voices shaped the game.

NARRATED BY
Tony D. Head

Tony D. Head is an award nominated actor who has been featured in the critically acclaimed off Broadway production of “Hounds of War” at the Abingdon theatre. Tony has appeared in many primetime series including the HBO hit series THE WIRE, and has also appeared in HBO’s THE CORNER , THE DEUCE ,VEEP, LAW and ORDER SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, FBI’s MOST WANTED, FX’s AMERICAN SPORTS STORY and had a recurring role in the STARZ Mini series THREE WOMEN starring Shailene Woodley, Blair Underwood and Dewanda Wise. In 2020 Head wrote produced and starred in The CASE which has won over 50 awards worldwide and is being developed for television.

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

Executive Producer, Julie Anderson
Director, Dan Egan
Director of Cinematography, Tom Grissom
Directing Producer, Nelson Tracey
Narrator, Tony D. Head
Bermudian Consultant, Dana Selassie, PhD
Narrative Consultant, Dr. Sajni Tolaram
Graphics and Animation, Felix Obas, 7 South Productions
Bermuda Community Coordinator, Dede Cooper
Global Commercial Director, Harry de Haas
Director of Business Development, William Gillis
Sales and Distribution, JD Beaufils, Blacktop International
Director of Communication, Robert Penner
Bermuda Partnership Director, Schereene Outerbridge
North America Soccer Consultant, Paul Ostberg
Bermuda Public Relations Director, Alana Wolffe
Bermuda Football Exhibit Curator, Jasmine Lee
United Kingdom Communications, Sacha Kemp

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