The past caught up with the present at West Ham United’s London Stadium yesterday.

Clyde Best, the former West Ham striker, was on hand before the club’s Premier League match with Burnley to sign copies of his new autobiography, The Acid Test.

The cult hero has travelled to London for the launch of the book, which explores the trials and tribulations he faced as one of the first black players to make an impact on English football.

Best was one of the first black stars in English football, despite having to endure vile abuse in an era where racism was rife on the terraces.

In the book he details how he overcame such discrimination to become one of the most influential figures in English football.

The book also chronicles the relationship Best had with legendary manager Ron Greenwood, and his rapport with West Ham greats of that era, such as World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst.

Best scored 47 goals in 186 appearances between 1969 and 1976 and also developed a special bond with the West Ham supporters.

Then 17, he arrived in London for a weeklong trial with West Ham in August 1968 — his first time away from home.

After overcoming a bout with homesickness, the powerful striker made a quick impression on the coaches at the club, with future England manager Greenwood becoming a mentor for Best, who he described as the “best 17-year-old I have ever seen”.

A groundbreaking figure, Best overcame intolerance and bigotry at a time when racism was rife on football’s terraces to inspire other young black footballers, including the likes of former England and West Bromwich striker Cyrille Regis and compatriots Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne.

“There was a lot I had to go through, but when you embark on something like that, you can’t think of yourself — you have to think of people coming after you,” Best said.

“When I look and see what is happening in English football today, it gives me great satisfaction.”

Best, who launched his long-awaited autobiography at a signing at Brown and Co on Front Street last month, hopes the book will inspire young Bermudians to pursue their dreams.

Harry Redknapp, Best’s former West Ham team-mate, wrote the foreword for the book.

As well as West Ham, Best played in the North American Soccer League with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Portland Timbers and Toronto Blizzard, in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Los Angeles Lazers, as well as in Holland with Feyenoord.