wife Freda to collect an award for his role in helping to break soccer's colour barrier in that country in the late 60s and early 70s.

It was largely through Best's perseverance for West Ham during that period that the way was paved for other black footballers to establish themselves with prominent clubs during that period -- expecially the bigger clubs in the then senior league (First Division) in England.

In recognition of the role that Best played, the Sports Committee of Birmingham has included the Bermudian among a list of 26 pioneers to be honoured on Saturday night.

And Best, a big cricket fan, will be able to pick up some tips from West Indies fast bowler Courteney Walsh at the ceremony.

Walsh, currently playing for Gloucestershire in the county championship, will be a special guest on Saturday.

Among others getting a special citation are former West Bromwich Albion and Coventry striker Cyrille Regis, Michael Thomas, ex-Aston Villa winger Mark Walters, former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks and ex-Chelsea defender Paul Elliott.

Other athletes expected to attend the ceremony include former Olympic javelin competitor Tessa Sanderson and another West Indies paceman, Franklyn Rose.

The event will feature video footage of some of the finest goals scored by Best, a hard-hitting top order batsman for Watford Sports Club in Bermuda's Commercial League when he is not coaching the Island's soccer squad.

Steve Stephenson, of the Sports Committee of Birmingham, which is organising the event, said Best had been a "real inspiration''.

He said: "I was manager of a West Indian football club formed in 1971 and I don't think he realised the impact he had on us. It meant a lot to us to see him playing for West Ham.

"A lot of my players went on to play non-league and he was a positive role model to us all.'' England's soccer union the Professional Footballers' Association are sponsoring the event with chief executive Gordon Taylor and his deputy, Brendan Batson, in attendance.

Best said was looking forward to the occasion and that he felt privileged to have been recognised.

While he is aware that the consensus is that he played a vital role into helping to eradicate racism he isn't one to brag about it. "If it did then I'm happy because those things shouldn't have a place in the game of soccer or any sport,'' he said.

However, Bermuda Football Association first vice president Aldwyn Savery couldn't hold back his pride.

"We are delighted, as the entire Island must be, about this event. Bermuda has certainly benefitted by having had players follow in his footsteps and in many ways maintained the high standard that he has set,'' said Savery. who is also the BFA's coaching committee chairman.

"The BFA recognised his many values by taking steps more than a year ago to appoint him as our technical director and we are positive that his presence will have an extraordinary influence on our youth in the future.'' Best encountered several racial incidents when he went to England as a 17-year-old Bermuda international and Somerset Trojans striker but not only persevered, he went on to excel.

He was a regular in the West Ham United team from 1969 to 1976 and had the distinction of playing under coach Ron Greenwood and alongside the then England skipper Bobby Moore. To date no Bermudian has come close to equaling his accomplishments.

After West Ham he went to Feyenoord in Holland for two seasons before moving to the US to play in the North American Soccer League clubs.

He retired from soccer in 1984, his last club being the Los Angeles Lazers