Legendary West Ham football star Clyde Best hit the back page headlines in Britain's national newspapers yesterday when he questioned his former English Premier Division club's decision to sign controversial Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer.

Bowyer, who escaped punishment after allegedly being involved in a brutal attack on an Asian student three years ago, was bought by Hammers manager Glenn Roeder on Wednesday for an undisclosed sum.

But his arrival at Upton Park has reportedly raised tensions among the club's many black and Asian supporters who have accused the West Ham boss of signing a racist.

Some fans say they feel that Bowyer's arrival is a slap in the face for all black players who have turned out for the club in the last 30 years, including trailblazer Best, who scored 47 goals in 187 appearances between 1969 and 1975 and has been widely heralded as a pioneer for the many black stars who followed in his footsteps.

Best said in yesterday's Daily Mirror that he would like to see racism "kicked out of the game once and for all."

The Bermudian's comments were also splashed across the pages of Britain's biggest-selling tabloid, The Sun.

"There is no place for racism in football - and no place for racists," he said, referring to Bowyer.

"He should have no place at West Ham or in football."

Like many around the world, Best was appalled by the player's alleged involvement in the much-publicised incident that occurred while he was at Leeds.

"What happened at Leeds was wrong and everybody in their right mind knows that. I know Bowyer was found not guilty, but he was involved in the incident and fined by the club for his part," added Best.

"What happened was horrible and I think he and Jonathan Woodgate should have been suspended longer. Certainly they shouldn't have been allowed to play until the end of the trial, even though it took so long."

Following a recent incident involving Bowyer - this time on the pitch - the former England international this week received a six-match ban from UEFA for stamping on the head of a Malaga player during Leeds' December 12 UEFA Cup clash at Elland Road. Bowyer has until tomorrow to lodge an appeal against that ban, although it won't stop him turning out in domestic league matches.

Although the midfielder publicly apologised for his past actions, Best counts himself among many who are not fully convinced that the player's gesture was sincere.

"I wish I could sit down with him (Bowyer), talk to him and look him in the eye to see what he really feels," said Best.

"He needs to have someone look him in the eye and make sure he's sincere about the statements he's made - that he really doesn't have any malice or bad feelings towards people of colour.

"If he has racist thoughts, then he needs counselling to get rid of them because he would need help.

"I hope he's forgotten the attitudes that got him into trouble and that he has changed. If he has, then he should be allowed to go on and play his football."

Best also called for Bowyer to stand accountable for his actions.

"He must take responsibility for what he has done in the past and the gross errors he has made," said the former Bermuda national coach.

"He has to be man enough to stand up and be counted, to say that he made a mistake and wants to make amends and get on with his life."

Best, meanwhile, said he was saddened to see racism still afflicting the English game in the year 2003.

"The worst thing is that we're still having to talk about racism in football. It's time racism was kicked out of the game once and for all.

"Just because my skin is dark doesn't mean my blood is any different. It's still red and it can't come off and hurt you.

"We have to all be in football together - white, black, Asian or whatever your colour or religion. You have to respect other people on the football pitch and in life, no matter what colour their skin is," added Best.

Another West Ham stalwart, Best's former team-mate Trevor Brooking, defended the signing of Bowyer, saying it would present the player with an opportunity to salvage his career and help the East London club avoid relegation.

"This is a chance for Lee to re-establish his career and I just hope everybody will judge him on that," said Brooking.

"You don't make this sort of signing without discussing all the plusses and minuses. Lee's had a pretty torrid couple of years and this is a crucial stage in his career.

"He must realise he has to channel his aggression in the right way. I'm sure he knows the cameras will be looking for something to happen.

"But it is an excellent signing for the club, a player who should have his peak years ahead of him."

Bowyer began his career at Charlton Athletic and became Britain's most expensive teenager when at 19 he moved on to Leeds for ?4.15 million in 1995.