Clyde Best and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp have more in common other than being former team-mates at the top English Premier League club.

Both agree that the current crop of young talent in Bermuda could reap the same sort of success that Best himself achieved during the late 1960s and '70s.

Here to supervise a coaching workshop over the weekend, Redknapp told youngsters who attended he was certain there would be "more Clyde Bests coming from Bermuda to play in England.'' And this week Best, now Bermuda Football Association's director of coaching, agreed there were plenty of players with the potential to follow in his footsteps.

"I see a lot of talented players here, about 15 to 20 who could perform on the big stage in time. But I am not sure about their desire. They will definitely need more than mere ability to make it as professionals,'' said the one-time West Ham striker.

But Best makes it clear that if any talented youngster wants to succeed he will assist in their development.

During the Easter break he personally took goalkeeper Freddy Hall (14) and midfield player Vashun Blanchette (13), members of the Bermuda Under-15 national squad, to West Ham and another London club, Barnet, where both experienced the school of excellence programmes.

Now attempts are being made to get them to attend school in England and work with the clubs.

"Once we can find youngsters with talent and desire like these two, then it is important to get them away in an environment where they can become accustomed to the professional approach. The younger you go out there the better,'' added Best.

Redknapp, mindful of Best's success, admitted he considered Bermuda to be a source of potential stars of the future and said he was impressed with the ability and behaviour of the youngsters who attended the weekend clinic.

As for becoming professionals, Best said: "The reality is there. It's just that they have to want it. I say to them that we can't simply pack you up and take you, you have to want to do it. If you want to do it, we can make the arrangements through people like Harry and Frank (Lampard) ... if not at West Ham at other clubs because there are people who are willing to do that.

"There are definitely a lot of opportunities out there today for young players, but first of all they must want it themselves. They have to be hungry, they have to be dedicated, they have to spend a lot of time doing things for themselves.

"What I tell players lots of times is don't be afraid because you come from a small country like Bermuda, it doesn't make any difference which country you come from. If you are a good athlete, you are a good athlete and people want good athletes. I tell the young players `if that's what you want go for it'.'' Back in the 1960s Best defied the odds when he was 15-years-old, leaving Somerset Trojans to travel alone to West Ham where he was confronted with racial problems both on and off the field.

But he persevered and went on to become one of the English League's most recognised and respected forwards.

His advice to young players with similar aspirations now is to be aggressive and prepared to fight.

"You must never let the people on the sidelines interfere with what you want to do, you must remember they are spectators who pay to see the game and they can say what they want. If your goal is to be a professional and you have got the ability to be a professional, go seek it. `Don't let the fans put you off' is what I tell young players,'' he said.

"I didn't let any negativity bother me here or during my early days at West Ham. I looked at it as a privilege to have a wonderful job, to be paid good money and to be performing in front of large crowds. I loved it.'' Tips from the top: West Ham boss Harry Redknapp offers advice to local youngsters during his weekend workshop. Both Redknapp and Bermuda national coach Clyde Best, who played together at the London club, agree the Island could be a source of more top professional players.