Full Breakdown
Portland to Host Documentary on Trailblazing Timbers Striker Clyde Best
5/20/2026, 9:51:36 PM
Documentary Premiere and Screening Details
“Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story” will debut at Portland’s Aladdin Theater on June 4 and 5, 2024. The two-night event includes a post-screening panel featuring former Timbers forward Clyde Best and ex-West Ham United player Addy Coker. The film chronicles Best’s career, his influence on the Portland Timbers, and his broader impact on soccer culture.
Best’s Journey from Bermuda to England and Portland
Born in Bermuda, Best left home at age 17 to trial with West Ham United in London. After arriving alone at the airport, he navigated the city’s tube system, missed his intended stop, and knocked on the door of a stranger—Clive Charles’s mother—who welcomed him into the Charles household. The mentorship forged there helped Best break into professional football, later leading to his 1977 signing with the Portland Timbers, where he played more than 100 matches (both indoor and outdoor) through 1981.
Principal Contributors and Participants
- Clyde Best – Former Timbers striker and documentary subject.
- Billy Merck – Founder of the soccer blog *Green Is The Color* and producer of the film.
- Clive Charles – Former Portland coach; his family provided early support to Best.
- Addy Coker – Former West Ham teammate, panelist.
- Portland Timbers – Club that employed Best during the late-1970s and early-1980s.
Film Content and Quantitative Highlights
Broader Relevance: Racism, Perseverance, and Soccer Culture
The documentary foregrounds the racial barriers Best confronted in England and the United States, positioning his story as a case study of perseverance within a sport historically marked by exclusion. Organizers argue the film offers a “sports movie, a soccer movie, and a movie about overcoming obstacles,” aiming to inspire both fans and broader audiences. By highlighting Best’s experiences, the film contributes to ongoing conversations about diversity and inclusion in North American soccer.
Official Statements & Responses
Billy Merck described the project as extending beyond pure sport, emphasizing its focus on racism and personal resilience. He noted that the screenings will foster community connection, with the panel discussion designed to let audiences engage directly with Best and Coker. Event organizers confirmed that the Aladdin Theater screenings are open to the public and that ticket proceeds will support local soccer initiatives.
Criticism & Opposition
The source material does not present any public criticism or opposition to the documentary or its thematic focus.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was a 17-year-old Black kid in London by himself, and nobody picks him up at the airport,” — Billy Merck, Sports Writer
- “He gets on the tube, gets off at the wrong station, and ends up knocking on a stranger’s door. It turns out to be Clive Charles’ mom’s house.” — Billy Merck
- “It’s a sports movie, a soccer movie, and a movie about overcoming obstacles.” — Billy Merck
- “People will feel connected to Clyde, connected to the movie and inspired in their own lives beyond the film.” — Billy Merck
What’s Next
Following the June screenings, the panel with Best and Coker will field audience questions about Best’s legacy and the evolution of soccer in Portland. Organizers have indicated plans to circulate the documentary to additional venues across the Pacific Northwest later in 2024, extending its reach to new fan communities.
