Clyde Best Story To Screen At Festival In Boston
The Clyde Best documentary has been selected for screening at the Roxbury International Film Festival in Boston.
A spokesperson said, “Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story has been officially selected to screen at the Roxbury International Film Festival [RoxFilm] in Boston from June 18-26, one of the United States’ leading festivals celebrating filmmakers and stories from the global Black diaspora.
“The screening is scheduled for June 18 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and will serve as the documentary’s official Boston premiere, bringing the remarkable story of Bermudian football pioneer Clyde Best to one of the country’s most influential cultural film platforms.
“Founded to champion diverse voices and socially meaningful storytelling, RoxFilm provides a powerful stage for films that examine history, identity, and social change — themes central to Best’s journey. The festival screening will be followed by additional New England presentations the following week, with showings scheduled in Nashua, NH on June 26 and Providence, RI Island on June 27, following stops in Tampa and Portland on the film’s North American tour.
“Following sold out shows at global premieres in London and Bermuda this spring, “The Clyde Best Story” continues to connect audiences with the story of a player whose courage, resilience and excellence helped reshape the global game.
“The powerful sports and social history documentary celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Bermudian legend Clyde Best — the first Black soccer superstar of the modern television era in England and a pioneering figure whose influence later helped shape the early growth of professional soccer in the United States.
“Directed by award-winning filmmaker Dan Egan, who grew up in Milton, Massachusetts, the documentary traces Best’s journey from Bermuda to English football’s top flight, where he rose to prominence with West Ham United in the late 1960s and ’70s. Facing open racism while performing at the highest level of the game, Best not only broke barriers but excelled — scoring 58 goals in 218 appearances and becoming a symbol of resilience, excellence, and change.
“Among other key moments, the film revisits Easter Sunday 1972, when Best, Clive Charles, and Ade Coker became the first Black trio to start a match in England’s First Division — an historic milestone that transcended sport.
“The documentary also chronicles Best’s vital role in American soccer during its formative professional years. In the North American Soccer League, he helped the Tampa Bay Rowdies capture the 1975 Soccer Bowl and later became a fan favorite with the Portland Timbers, leaving a lasting imprint on the U.S. game both on and off the pitch. Best also had stints in Cleveland, Toronto and Los Angeles during his professional career, including indoor professional soccer.
“Narrated by award-nominated actor Tony Head, originally from Roxbury himself and features in Tyler Perry’s BET series Zatima, the film brings Best’s story to life with emotional depth and historical resonance. Featuring newly uncovered archival footage and exclusive interviews, the documentary includes appearances by Harry Redknapp, Les Ferdinand, Viv Anderson, Ian Wright and U.S. Men’s National Team star Kasey Keller, who reflects on the development and evolution of the professional game in the United States during Best’s playing years.
“Together, these voices provide perspective on Best’s influence across continents and on the sport’s ongoing journey toward greater inclusion and fair play.
“Tickets and additional information are available at www.clydebest.com.”
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