Now heavily built but still soft-hearted, Clyde Best has been in some esteemed company during his professional career.

Having given goalkeepers nightmares with his shooting ability during his playing days in Bermuda, England, Holland and the United States, Best is now attempting to put something back into the sport by coaching.

Today Bermuda will benefit from his new role when the BFA's Youth Football Camp opens under his supervision at Warwick Secondary School at 9.30 a.m.

Having achieved more than any other Bermudian in soccer, Best is now on course to establish himself as a coach.

The former Somerset Trojan, Bermuda international and West Ham United striker got his baptism in coaching after he retired in 1984 from the L.A.Lazers....and he loves it.

"I've been at it for a while now, it's been quite enjoyable working with boys and girls under-17 teams in Orange Country in Los Angeles. I have about 10 teams there right now and am involved in coaching at both high school and junior college level,'' said Best.

Since he first broke into Somerset's junior team as a youngster, Best has always had a passion for soccer. And now, nearly 30 years later, those feelings remain strong.

"Soccer is my life, that's what I know and feel comfortable doing,'' he said.

When the call came from the BFA with the invitation to coach here Best jumped at the opportunity, claiming that it was always one of his goals to put something back into the community where he was born and raised.

He recalled his coach at West Ham Ron Greenwood telling the players to "give something back and work with kids.'' "I am fortunate that at West Ham I was probably with one of the best coaches in England in Ron. He would always instil in us the importance of working with the younger folks. But I can work with all ages. If I see a good athlete who has ability to play soccer I am sure I can guide him in the right direction.'' Best was a regular in the West Ham team from 1969 to 1976. And no Bermudian has yet come close to equalling his accomplishments. After West Ham he went to Feyenoord in Holland for two seasons before moving to the US to playing with a few North American Soccer League clubs.

Best feels that he was successful because of his great dedication and the love he had for the sport combined with his burning ambition to be a professional.

"Desire played a big part, luck also, and I was probably in the right situation at the time. I went to a club that preached playing soccer, that was our emphasis at West Ham. I went there when I was 17 years old so it gave me a chance to play with my peers,'' said Best.

An early baptism in Bermuda when he made the Trojans senior team at 15 years old also helped, recalled Best.

"Yes, I was playing with men in the First Division here at a young age and that was a big help in my development.'' While today's talented youngsters are only too aware of Best's goal-scoring prowess, he is adamant that they shouldn't try to emulate him.

"They have to be themselves first, they must work hard for it because nobody is going to give them anything, they must learn to develop their own game,'' said Best.

"I recall when I was young and was never picked to play, I told the fellows `one day you will pay to watch me,' and I was able to make that happen. The coach can help you to instil good habits, but you have to do your part in carrying them through.'' Best feels that one of a coach's most vital functions is being able to recognise talent. "If you can't you will not accomplish much as a coach because talent is what's going to get you where you want to go. If you can't recognise a good player it's going to be difficult,'' he said. Does he have nay aspirations to coach at a national level? "I would like to if the opportunity comes, if not I am happy to continue working with the kids,'' he said.

CLYDE BEST -- Teaching Bermuda's future stars.