Bermuda must do better at recognising the achievements of black Bermudians, according to Clyde Best.

Mr Best told The Royal Gazette: “That’s something we have to improve upon. We have black Bermudians in all walks of life in all parts of the world that have done fantastic. If you don’t know your history, you’re not going to go forward.”

Best was one of several black Bermudian trailblazers who were recognised yesterday as part of Bermuda’s First Black History Museum at Paget Primary School.

Classroom 46 was transformed into an exhibit dedicated to Mr Best.

Others recognised included musician Steve Easton, who died last month, Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Clarence Hill, and former Progressive Labour Party leader L. Frederick Wade.

Mr Best said: “For the school to honour us is fantastic.”

Mr Best suffered racist abuse during his days as a striker for West Ham United in the 1960s and 1970s.

He said he was “extremely impressed” with the knowledge the students had about him and his career and that he was humbled to be included among those honoured by the museum.

Mr Best said: “When you start off in a career, you don’t have intentions of having stuff like this happen.”

He said he had always remembered the advice he had received from his mother years ago.

Mr Best explained: “Treat people the way you want to be treated and you can’t go wrong in life.

“That’s the way that I live my life.”

Fellow former professional footballers Shaun Goater and Randy Horton backed calls last month to secure a knighthood for Mr Best ahead of a mid-May deadline for the 2019 New Year’s Honours List.