Congratulations to Hammers legend Clyde Best, who has been awarded
the MBE in the New Years' honours list.
The big Bermudan striker, now 54, played 218 firs-team games,
scoring 58 goals for the Hammers between 1969 and 1975.
Clyde, now living in Bermuda, where he works in the prison service,
joined West Ham as a 17-year-old in 1969 and made an immediate
impact playing with the likes of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and
Martin Peters.
He became a firm favourite of the Hammers faithful and was greatly
admired for coping with the racial abuse he suffered at some away
grounds. He went on to inspire a generation of black players to
take up the game.
Clyde left the Club in 1975 to join Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North
American Soccer League before returning briefly to the Hammers.
He then moved to Feyenoord in Holland, ending his playing career
back in the States with Portland.
He went on to become Technical Director of the Bermudan national
team between 1997 and 2000.
Clyde said: "It certainy wasn't easy to rise above the
abuse I suffered when I first arrived, but I could not always think
of myself.
"There were people behind me and thousands of youngsters who
were looking to me to set an example.
"It was fantastic to play in a team with players like Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters and in front of those
wonderful West Ham supporters.
"I'll be coming back to go to Buckingham Palace to receive
my award so it will be great to meet up with old friends again.
"I'd like to thank West Ham United for giving me the
opportunity of making people happy in the past and to the Club and
Chairman Terry Brown for all their support in helping me to gain
this magnificent award."
Clyde Best Receives Mbe
31st December 2005