Black footballers - help needed

[Marxo]

Gil Heron the father of Gil Scott-Heron played for Celtic in the 50's. He was known as "The Black Arrow".

 

[m.c.hamster]

Ryan Giggs

Have you ever seen Ryan Giggs Dad? He's from South Africa and is very dark.

 

[Marxo]

Have you ever seen Ryan Giggs Dad? He's from South Africa and is very dark.

His (Giggs) grandfather was from Sierra Leone.

 

[Ernest]

Have you ever seen Ryan Giggs Dad? He's from South Africa and is very dark.

He's Welsh and not very dark

 

[BensGrandad]

He's Welsh and not very dark

He is Welsh and certainly darker than Ryan and it is obvious his origin well he was in the pub near the Millenium Stadium when we played Bristol City also makes sure everybody knows who his son is, not that I hold that against him.

 

[8ace]

Googled it. Arthur Wharton was the first about 1900.

Andrew Watson was the first really.

Pop quiz hotshots, who was the first black DENTIST in the UK

 

[Colbourne Kid]

Charlie Williams, 1970s comedian and 1940/50s footballer

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Especially as Alf Garnett was banging on about 'c**ns' on the only wholly state-funded TV station of the time. While wearing a West Ham scarf. Jeez!

That was sooooooo funny tho-----

 

[Bombadier Botty]

Andrew Watson was the first really.

Pop quiz hotshots, who was the first black DENTIST in the UK

Desmond Dentin? Levi Roots?

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

The Orient team of the late 70's were just as much trailblazers as West Brom. If I remember correctly they had the likes of Henry Houghton, John Cheidoze (sp?) and the wonderfully named Tunji Banjo in their side.

 

[Hastings gull]

I am helping with a research paper on the history, integration and impact of black footballers in British professional football.
There is plenty of statistical information, but looking for my primary source stuff... such as first hand accounts and memories.
The first black footballer I can remember as a kid was Albert Johanneson, who played for Don Revie's Leeds in the 1960s. Then a little later Cyril Regis at West Brom.
Any info or memories - certainly from the 50s, 60s and early 70s would be gratefully appreciated... cheers!

Dennis Foreman played for the Albion in the 50s -I think he was mixed race, with SA parentage, but worth checking out. A pivotal moment for black footballers came in the 80s, I think, with the three black players for West Brom. I can recall them being interviewed on MOTD where the race issue was raised. They came over really well.

 

[The Mole]

Don't forget Spider - Viv Anderson - an extremely popular player at Forest and England's first black international

 

[dejavuatbtn]

We had Mike Small who did well for us before going for money to West Ham. Justin Fashanu came with dodgy knees, had previously had better days but an unhappy end. Terry Connor needed ten yards to trap a ball.
We didn't employ Garth Crooks who had a good career with Spurs but I have to say he comes across as a really self opinionated dick.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Don't forget Spider - Viv Anderson - an extremely popular player at Forest and England's first black international

Paul Reaney (see post #8) made his England debut in 1968.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Albion's 1950s inside-forward Denis Foreman - who was also a county cricketer - was probably classified in his native South Africa as 'coloured' through being mixed-race -(in the UK, 'half-caste').

How offensive all that seems nowadays. However, 21st-century America's 'people of colour' racial identifier is totally absurd - suggesting as it does that everybody else in the world is some kind of barely visible albino.

 

[Richard Tiltmans Shin Pad]

Tony Collins*was the first black manager in the English Football League, taking charge at Rochdale A.F.C. from June 1960 until September 1967. He led Rochdale to their only League Cup final in 1962.o He was also Crystal Palace's first black player........but ignore that bit!!!!!!

 

[TottonSeagull]

Dennis Foreman played for the Albion in the 50s -I think he was mixed race, with SA parentage, but worth checking out. A pivotal moment for black footballers came in the 80s, I think, with the three black players for West Brom. I can recall them being interviewed on MOTD where the race issue was raised. They came over really well.

Dennis Foreman was from Cape Town and was one of the first South African to play professionally in UK. He was classed as coloured in SA. He also played cricket for Sussex. Dennis was my PE Teacher for 6 years and a great bloke with some great stories.

 

[8ace]

Desmond Dentin? Levi Roots?

Been trying to think of a 2.30 style gag but have failed so far.

 

[Blazing Apostle]

Didn't Ade Koker play at West Ham similar time as Clyde Best ?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Didn't Ade Koker play at West Ham similar time as Clyde Best ?

Ade Koker. There is a name. Had a magnificent debut (at least on The Big Match). Well remembered.