Nahki Wells: It’s nice Clyde is getting the flowers he deserves
Nahki Wells is delighted to see Bermudian legend Clyde Best receiving the “flowers he deserves” for his barrier-breaking exploits in English football.
Wells was in Stratford on Wednesday night as he attended the premiere of Transforming the Beautiful Game — The Clyde Best Story, the feature-length documentary which sheds light on the racism Best endured during a stint with West Ham United between 1968 and 1976.
“It’s an amazing story and nice that Clyde is getting his flowers and the recognition that he deserves while he's here,” Wells told The Royal Gazette.
“This project has shed so much light on history that I think that a lot of us are unaware of. I think what Clyde had to overcome is going to show the generation of today exactly what it took to change the course of systemic racism in football, overcoming adversity and breaking through barriers. He did so many things that we can relate to and be for ever grateful for.
“It tapped into everything and what I loved was how much influence Bermuda had on it, and not just on his connection and life in the UK. It was a huge Bermuda-pushed documentary that really painted a great picture of Bermuda and the credit that the island deserves on his incredible rise to stardom.
“I am absolutely over the moon with the film and with everyone involved who played a part in helping that production come to life. They can hold themselves in high regards because the outcome is amazing.
“It will be in Bermuda soon and I encourage all Bermudians, schools, companies and groups to watch it and help promote it to make sure it’s really a part of Bermuda history as much as it deserves to be for generations to come to be enlightened and taught his story to exact detail.”
Wells was among the star-studded audience at Sadler's Wells East in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Wednesday and was keen to point out the influence Best had on him.
“Clyde has always been somebody that I admired hugely and has been a huge inspiration to me,” he said.
“I got to meet Clyde at a young age and have always had great encounters with him. He has always been a gentle giant and somebody who has the time to converse and share his wisdom as we did in our encounter yesterday.
“First thing he said is make sure that we’re ready to help carry Bermuda football when we’re done and how influential we can be to the generations after us.”
