Bermudian soccer students that one of them could follow in the footsteps of his former team-mate Clyde Best.

The West Ham boss used to play for the east London club three decades ago in the same team as Bermuda's director of coaching Best.

And speaking at the end of a three-day soccer workshop attended by more than 70 children aged between eight and 15, Redknapp encouraged the youngsters to learn from Best's career.

"Clyde Best came from Bermuda to play for West Ham for six or seven years and he scored a lot of goals,'' Redknapp said.

"I'm sure there will be some more Clydes coming from Bermuda and I hope to see them coming to West Ham.'' Redknapp and his assistant Frank Lampard came to oversee the workshop and help local coaches put the youngsters through their paces.

Each child received a football and a certificate of achievement signed by the two Hammers coaches.

Redknapp said he had been impressed by the youngsters' soccer ability and behaviour.

"They're good kids and very keen. They've been excellent,'' he said.

And Redknapp added that he did consider the Island a source of potential stars of the future.

"Why not? Clyde came from here and he was a great player. Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne have done well too. There are a lot of talented youngsters here.'' Two of those youngsters, goalkeeper Freddy Hall and midfielder Vashun Blanchette, were invited to train at West Ham earlier this year after being recommended by Best.

The two Bermuda under-15 players made such a good impression at West Ham and another professional London club, Barnet, that they have been invited back to England.

Redknapp said: "Both of them did very well. I know our goalkeeping coach Les Sealey was very impressed with Freddy.'' Redknapp, who is also on the Island for a holiday, said working with young players was a welcome break from constantly being in the spotlight as the man in charge of one of England's elite clubs.

"It's a bit of fun really to be with the kids and to help out a friend, Alan Pailing, who's organised it.''