Football: Michail Antonio Praises Clyde Best
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has heaped praise on Bermudian football legend Clyde Best for paving the way for Black players in English football, saying that “I wouldn’t be where I am without Clyde.”
A West Ham Zone story said, “Best was one of the first Black players in the old First Division when he joined West Ham in 1968 and the Bermudian forward went on to have an excellent career in England playing 187 times for the Irons and scoring 47 goals.
“Because Best was one of the only Black players in the league he was frequently the target for racist abuse and Antonio has praised the attitude of the former forward, saying without his impact he wouldn’t be playing at the level he is today.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I always think how would I have dealt with the racism side of things and everything that he had to deal with and I’m not sure I could have dealt with it.
“The way that he dealt with it and just turned up and just constantly played and scoring his goals. This day and age there are so many people that are there, they’ll stick up for you they’ll report it, but back then it wasn’t ready.
“To come from that to becoming a legend for West Ham. To be called the legend, there isn’t a better name than that by the way, is just an unbelievable achievement.
“He came out here to look for his dream and then he’s fulfilled his dream, with all the negative things that have surrounded him, he made everything positive. I’ve said it and I’ll keep saying it, I wouldn’t be where I am without Clyde.”
Read the full story here on the WestHamZone website.
That Is Why His Name Should Be SIR CLYDE BEST,