Coin Celebrates Clyde Best Documentary
[Written by Stephen Wright]
David Zuill said he was “honoured” to design the commemorative coin for Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story — a documentary about the Bermudian’s football career.
Mr Zuill, who owns Davidrose Studio with his wife, Rose, said organisers approached him to create the coin, which depicts Best dribbling the ball during a West Ham United match at the height of his career in 1973.
The limited-edition project was sponsored by Butterfield Bank, which distributed the brass coins to clients.
Organisers hope more coins will be made available for purchase, with proceeds going to Clyde Best’s charity.
The documentary, screened in Bermuda last month, charts Best’s career from joining West Ham in the late 1960s to his move to the United States, where he played in the North American Soccer League for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Portland Timbers, as well as a spell with Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
It also explores racism in football.
“As a Black-owned business, we were excited to be approached to create the coin,” Mr Zuill told Bernews.
“I’m a big football fan, so I know all about Clyde Best’s legacy,” he said.
Having never met Best before, Mr Zuill said the opportunity to design the coin made the project even more appealing.
“That was also a reason I wanted to do it,” he said. “He’s a local hero, so I said yes right away.
“It was a pleasure to meet and talk to him — he’s an inspiration to Bermudians.”
Mr Zuill said the design was inspired by a photograph of Best in motion during a match, which he believed reflected the determination and mentality that defined his career.
“There was a pose during a certain game when the camera caught him running,” he said.
“I felt it captured him at his best — you could see the determination in his face.
“When I watch football today, every player seems to be aware of the cameras, whereas Clyde’s run, gait and stride looked more intentional and showed his mentality.”
He described Best as “a very calm, cool guy” and said the former West Ham forward was happy with the finished piece.
“Nothing fazes him, and he always carries the same demeanour,” he added.
“I think he liked the coin and was happy I did it.”
Read More About
Category: All, Business, Sports
