Credit: Imago and West Ham United

Max Wilkins

Fri 13 March 2026 6:33, UK

Ade Coker is determined to help his former West Ham United teammate Clyde Best receive a knighthood.

Best, 75, is a Hammers legend, having played 186 games for the East London club between 1968 and 1976.

The Bermudian is known as a true trailblazer for black footballers in English football, becoming a star in an era when racism was rife.

He became a true star of the old First Division and is now famed for the calm way he dealt with the abuse he faced regularly from the terraces.

The former striker is now subject to a documentary feature film that could help turn “the superstar you’ve never heard of” into a knight of the realm.

Ade Coker demands “Sir Clyde Best” ahead of movie release

The story of Best has gone under-told across generations, but certainly caught the attention of US film-maker Dan Egan.

He is now preparing for the upcoming release of Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story, which outlines the tales of the former West Ham forward.

Everything from his London move at 17 to his spells in the USA, South Africa and the Netherlands are covered to showcase the tales of his life.

Fellow Irons favourite Coker featured alongside the striker between 1971 and 1975 and developed a massive admiration for his teammate.

He now hopes the upcoming release of the documentary will spark a campaign to earn Best a knighthood.

Speaking to West Ham Zone at the media conference after the initial premiere announcements, Coker said: “When people watch this movie, I hope people start talking about making this man ‘Sir Clyde Best’.

“I think that’s what we want to look at when talking about him.

“My god, what he did for me as a player that’s just about to play the game of his life, that was never expected.

“The way he calmed me down and helped me, even before that game, was amazing.

“He was my man, Clyde is my man.

“I looked at what he did and endured when he was playing, and I envy some of the things he does.

“This man doesn’t let anything bother him; he just goes and gets the job done.”

Best and Coker want West Ham legend Bobby Moore to earn a knighthood

Best is truly an icon for thriving as a black footballer at a time when that was uncommon.

Coker wants him to earn a knighthood, but the Bermudan himself believes his former teammate Bobby Moore should be on the receiving end of that honour.

A posthumous knighthood was discussed by Best at the press conference as he looked back at his time sharing a dressing room with the Hammers legend.

Best said: “I always felt that Bobby should have been a Sir from the time he lifted the World Cup for England. Bobby Moore is one of the best human beings to step foot on the earth.

“He’s a fantastic human being. He looked after the young players entering the first team. I would definitely love to see him get a knighthood because it is something that he greatly deserves.”

That was echoed only by Coker, who drew on his experience with Moore as he felt the nerves before his first start for West Ham.

He added: “He is the most outstanding gentleman, in my opinion. Does he deserve a knighthood? Yes, absolutely, and I hope everybody will petition for him to be knighted.

“When I made my debut, he was an England hero. When I was told I was going to start a game, I was totally shocked. Bobby Moore came over to me, and he just totally calmed me down.

“I was just looking at him, taking everything in. He was an inspiration.”

There will be no West Ham fan who will disagree with Moore or Best receiving these honours for their superb work for the East London club, football and beyond.

Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story will premiere from 25 to 28 March in London.

Tickets can be purchased on the Sadler’s Wells website.