Conker Editions

Football’s Black Pioneers – where were they from?

We have produced a series of maps showing where the players featured in ‘Football’s Black Pioneers’ were from. Click on any highlighted area to see information about the first black players who were from there (press ‘escape’ to close the information box or click anywhere on the screen outside the information box to go back to the map). Depending on your system, the maps may take a second or two to load.

On some maps, most obviously the one of the Caribbean islands, you will have to use the Zoom feature to find some of the islands which are mere pin pricks on the main map.

Establishing where someone was born is pretty straightforward but the question of what we have described as ‘ethnic heritage’ is less easy to answer. In many cases players have mixed heritage. We have produced two maps, one to show where players were born, and a second showing players who weren’t born there but whose heritage can be traced back there (the same player may appear more than once on the ‘heritage’ maps).

The United Kingdom

The Caribbean Islands

Where players were born

Players’ ethnic heritage

The South American Continent

Where players were born

Players’ ethnic heritage

Mainland Europe

Where players were born

Players’ ethnic heritage

Africa

Where players were born

Players’ ethnic heritage

Bermuda

John Walker was born in South Leith in 1876. He became Lincoln City’s first black player on 2nd September 1899. John died in August 1900. Willie Clarke was born in Mauchline, Ayrshire on 3rd March 1878. He became the first black player at: Bristol Rovers (on 1st September 1900); Aston Villa (7th September 1901) and Bradford City (2nd September 1905). Willie died in Tunbridge Wells, Kent on 21st January 1949. Peter Foley was born in Edinburgh on 28th June 1944. He became Scunthorpe United’s first black player on 19th August 1967.

Eddie Parris was born in Chepstow 31st January 1911. He became the first black player at: Bournemouth (on 27th August 1934); Luton Town (13th March 1937); and Cheltenham (1945, the exact date is not known). Eddie died in Gloucester on 27th February 1971. Tommy Best was born in Milford Haven on 23rd December 1920. He became Cardiff City’s first black player on 30th October 1948. He achieved the same feat at Queens Park Rangers on 10th December 1949. Tommy died in Hereford on 16th September 2018. Bob Delgado was born in Cardiff on 29th January 1949. He became Carlisle United’s first black player on 19th February 1972.

Fred Corbett: born in Mile End, 3rd September 1879 and was the first black player at: West Ham (16th September 1899); Bristol City (5th September 1903); Brentford (2nd September 1905); and Gillingham (11th November 1911). Fred died in Brentford on 15th April 1924. Jack Leslie was born in West Ham, 17th August 1901 and became Plymouth Argyle’s first black player on 19th November 1921. Jack died in Gravesend, Kent on 25th November 1988. Tony Collins was born Notting Hill on 19th March 1926 and became the first black player at: Watford (21st October 1950); Norwich City (19th August 1953); and Crystal Palace (23rd November 1957). Bobby Fisher, born Wembley on 3rd August 1956, became the first black player at Leyton Orient on 25th August 1973. Dave Busby, born Paddington 27th July 1956, became the first black player at: Brighton (20th October 1973); and Barrow (18th August 1979). Laurie Cunningham, born Islington, 8th March 1956 became the first black player at West Bromwich Albion on 12th March 1977. Laurie died in Madrid Spain on 15th July 1989. Trevor Lee: born Lewisham, 3rd July 1954; first black player at Colchester, 3rd November 1978. Paul Canoville: born Southall, 4th March 1962; first black player at Chelsea, 12th April 1982. Carlos Francis: born West Ham, 21st August 1962; first black player at Birmingham City, 28th August 1982. Efe Sodje: born Greenwich, 5th October 1972; first black player at Macclesfield, 9th August 1987. Jamie Victory: born in Hackney, 14th November 1975; first black player in the Football League for Cheltenham Town, 7th August 1999. Rashid Yussuff: born Poplar, 23rd September 1989; first black player for AFC Wimbledon, 29th July 2011. Dale Bennett: born Enfield, 6th January 1990; Keanu Marsh-Brown, born Hammersmith, 10th August 1992; and Shamir Mullings, born Enfield, 30th October 1993 were three of the six black players in Forest Green Rovers’ first ever game in the Football League on 5th August 2017.

Howard Gayle was born in Liverpool on 18th May 1958. He went on to become the first black player at: Liverpool (on 4th October 1980); Newcastle United (27th November 1982) and Blackburn Rovers (15th August 1987). Paul Gardner: born in Southport, 22nd September 1957; first black player at Blackpool, 21st September 1976. George Oghani: born in Manchester, 2nd September 1960; first black player for Bolton Wanderers, 14th January 1984. Hope Akpan: born Liverpool, 14th August 1991; first black player for Crawley Town, 29th July 2011. Peter Baines: born Manchester, 11th September 1919; first black player for Crewe Alexandra, 16th November 1946. Peter died in Manchester on 6th January 1997. Charlie Lea: born Preston, 24th November 1944; first black player for Morecambe, August 1966 (precise date unknown). Charlie died in Morecambe on 24th June 2015. Carl Valentine born Manchester, 4th July 1958; first black player for Oldham Athletic, 9th October 1976. Roly Gregoire: born Liverpool, 23rd November 1958; Sunderland’s first black player, 2nd January 1978. Albert Payne: born Liverpool, 11th November 1923; first black player for Tranmere Rovers, 31st August 1946. Albert died in London on 3rd August 2008. Steve Johnson: born Liverpool, 23rd June 1957; first black player for Wigan Athletic, 11th February 1984. Nathan Pond was born on 5th January 1985 in Preston. In all likelihood he was Fleetwood Town’s first black player in their non-league days; he achieved similar status on 3rd August 2019 (along with three others) in Salford City’s opening fixture in League Two. Ibou Touray: born, Liverpool, 24th December 1994; Lois Maynard, born Manchester on 22nd January 1989 both shared the distinction of becoming the first black player for Salford City on 3rd August 2019.

Les Lawrence was born in Brierley Hill on 18th May 1957. He became Shrewsbury’s first black player on 6th September 1975 and Burnley’s on 24th November 1984. Lloyd Maitland was born in Coleshill on 21st March 1957. He became Huddersfield Town’s first black player on 8th February 1974. Steve Mardenborough was born in Birmingham on 11th September 1964. He became Swansea City’s first black player on 25th August 1984. Mark Rees was born in Smethwick on 13th October 1961. He became Walsall’s first black player on 24th March 1979. Greg Pearson was born in Birmingham on 3rd April 1985. He became Burton Albion’s first black player in the Football League on 8th August 2009. Andy Kerr was born in West Bromwich on 7th April 1976. He became Wycombe Wanderers first black player on 14th August 1993. Reece Brown, born 3rd March 1996, in Dudley, was one of six black players in Forest Green Rovers’ first ever game in the Football League on 5th August 2017.

Dennis Walker was born in Northwich on 24th October 1944. He became Manchester United’s first black player on 20th May 1963. As well as being the only black ‘Busby Babe’ he became the first black player at Cambridge United on 10th August 1968. Dennis died in Stockport, Lancashire on 11th August 2003.

Steve Stacey was born in Bristol on 27th August 1944. He became the first black player at: Ipswich Town on 12th September 1968; Charlton, on 7th February 1970; and Exeter City, on 14th August 1971.

Charlie Williams was born in Royston, South Yorkshire on 23rd December 1927. He became Doncaster Rovers’ first black player on 3rd May 1950. After his playing career ended he found fame as a comedian on TV. Charlie died in Barnsley on 2nd September 2006. Warren Burrell and Aaron Martin share the distinction of being the first black players for Harrogate Town in the Football League, both played in Town’s first league fixture on 12th September 2020. Both were born in Sheffield. Before leaving Harrogate we note that Denver Mitchell, Harrogate’s first black player in non-league days, was born in Leeds and played for Town in the period 1976 to 1978. Andy Morris was born in Sheffield on 17th November 1967. He became Rotherham United’s first black player on 20th April 1985. Chris Kamara was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, on 25th December 1957. He became Swindon Town’s first black player on 13th August 1977. Chris went on to be a manager (at Bradford City) and a TV commentator and pundit. Mani Dieseruvwe was born in Leeds on 20th February 1995. He became the first black player for Salford City in the Football :League on 3rd August 2019, an honour he shared with three other players.

Mike Trebilcock was born in Gunnislake on 29th November 1944. He became Everton’s first black player on 1st January 1966. He was the first black player to score in an FA Cup final, scoring twice at Wembley on 14th May 1966.

Tony Ford was born in Grimsby on 14th May 1959. He became Grimsby Town’s first black player on 4th October 1975. In a career spanning 31 seasons, Tony played 1,081 first team games in all competition, more than any other outfield player.

Winston White was born in Leicester on 26th October 1958. He made his debut for Leicester City on 19th March 1977 and so became their first black player.

Stan Horne was born in Clanfield 17th December 1944. He became Manchester City’s first black player on 22nd September 1965. Bruce McCrae was born in Oxford on 11th July 1954, he became Wycombe Wanderers first black player on 8th November 1975.

Frank Peterson was born in Croydon on 3rd April 1951. He became Millwall’s first black player on 30th November 1968.

Neville Chamberlain was born in Stoke-on-Trent on 22nd January 1960. He became the first black player at Port Vale on 31st December 1977 and at Newport County on 26th November 1983. Roy Brown was born on 20th December 1923, also in Stoke-on-Trent. He became Stoke City’s first black player on 28th September 1946. Roy died at Bushey on 8th November 1989. Dean Howell was born in Burton-on-Trent on 29th November 1980. When Fleetwood achieved Football League status Dean became their first black player on 13th August 2012, an honour he shares with French-born, Youl Mawene.

Walter Tull was born in Folkestone on 28th April 1888. He became the first black player for Tottenham Hotspur on 1st September 1909 and Northampton Town’s first black player on 21st October 1911. Walter died at Favreuil, France on 25th March 1918.

Viv Anderson was born in Nottingham on 29th July 1956. He became Nottingham Forest’s first black player on 21st September 1974. He also became England’s first full international on 29th November 1978.

Ray Daniel was born in Luton on 10th December 1964. He became Hull City’s first black player on 23rd August 1986. Rene Howe was born in Bedford on 22nd October 1986 and became the first black player for Morecambe in the Football League on 9th August 2008.

Christian Jolley was born on 12th May 1988 at Fleet in Hampshire. On 29th July 2011 he became the first black player for AFC Wimbledon following their elevation to the Football League, an honour he shared with Rashid Yussuff.

Roland Butcher was born in St Philip Parish on 14th October 1953. In the early 1970s he became the first black player for Stevenage although the exact date of his debut is unknown. Andy Alleyne was born on 19th May 1951 and became Reading’s first black player on 21st October 1972. Andy died in Reading on 20th June 2012. Micky Welch was born in St Michael Parish on 21st May 1957. He became Southend United’s first black player on 23rd February 1985.

Alf Charles was born in Trinidad on 11th July 1909. On 9th January 1937 he became Southampton’s first black player. Alf died in Colne, Lancashire on 14th February 1977.

Lindy Delapenha was born in Kingston on 20th May 1927. He became the first black player for: Portsmouth (13th November 1948); Middlesbrough (6th May 1950); Mansfield Town (23rd August 1958); and Burton Albion (18th August 1962). Lindy died in Kingston, Jamaica on 26th January 2017. Don Gardner was born in Kingston on 30th August 1955. He became the first black player at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31st March 1975. Tony Cunningham was born in Kingston on 12th November 1957. He became Sheffield Wednesday’s first black player on 11th November 1983.

Brendon Batson was born in St George’s Parish on 6th February 1953. At the age of six he moved to Trinidad with his mother and two siblings and, aged 9, he and his brother were sent to England to live with an uncle. Brendon became Arsenal’s first black player on 11th March 1972.

Joe Cooke was born in Dominica on 15th February 1955 and on 25th August 1979 he became Oxford United’s first black player.

Orville (known as Gerry) Clarke is believed to have been born on Antigua. He came to England as a child and went to Moor End Primary School in the village of Oswaldtwistle and later Rhyddings School in Accrington. He made five starts for Accrington in the 1975/76 season but very little else is known about him.

First Black Players born on Barbados:

Roland Butcher (Stevenage); Andy Alleyne (Reading); and Micky Welch (Southend United).

First Black Players with Bajan heritage:

Walter Tull (Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town); Eddie Parris (Bournemouth, Luton Town and Cheltenham); Albert Payne (Tranmere Rovers); Tommy Best (Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers); Charlie Williams (Doncaster Rovers); Tony Ford Grimsby Town); and Dave Busby (Brighton & Hove Albion and Barrow).

First Black Players born on Trinidad:

Alf Charles (Southampton).

First Black Players with Trinidadian heritage:

Dale Bennett (Forest Green Rovers)

First Black Players born on Jamaica:

Lindy Delapenha (Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Mansfield Town and Burton Albion); Don Gardner (Wolverhampton Wanderers); and Tony Cunningham (Sheffield Wednesday).

First Black Players with Jamaican heritage:

Jack Leslie (Plymouth Argyle); Lloyd Maitland (Huddersfield Town); Viv Anderson (Nottingham Forest); Les Lawrence (Shrewsbury Town and Burnley); Denver Mitchell (Harrogate Town); Paul Gardner (Blackpool); Carl Valentine (Oldham Athletic); Laurie Cunningham (West Bromwich Albion); Neville Chamberlain (Port Vale and Newport County); Trevor Lee (Colchester United); and Izal McLeod (MK Dons).

First Black Players born on Grenada:

Brendon Batson (Arsenal)

First Black Players with Grenadan heritage:

Arthur Wharton (Preston North End and Sheffield United).

First Black Player born on Dominica:

Joe Cooke (Oxford United).

First Black Players with Dominican heritage:

Roly Gregoire (Sunderland); and Paul Canoville (Chelsea).

First Black Players born on Antigua:

Orville (known as Gerry) Clarke (Accrington).

Rene Howe’s father was from Antigua, Rene was the first black player to represent Morecambe in the Football League, making his debut on 9th August 2008.

First Black Players with heritage from Montserrat:

Winston White (Leicester City); and Nathan Pond (Salford City).

First Black Player with heritage from St Kitts and Nevis:

Steve Mardenborough (Swansea City).

First Black Player with heritage from Anguilla:

Paul Canoville (Chelsea).

First Black Player with heritage from St Lucia:

Ray Daniel (Hull City).

Michael Maynard was born in British Guiana (now Guyana) on 7th January 1947. He became Peterborough United’s first black player on 25th November 1967.

First Black Players born in Guyana:

Michael Maynard (Peterborough United).

First Black Players with Guyanese heritage (including British Guiana):

Willie Clarke (Aston Villa Bristol Rovers, and Bradford City).

Romy Boco was born in Bernay, France, on 8th July 1985. He became Accrington Stanley’s first black player on 5th August 2006. Youl Mawene was born in Caen, France, on 16th July 1979. He became Fleetwood Town’s first black player in the Football League on 13th August 2012.

First Black Pioneer with German heritage:

Denver Mitchell (Harrogate Town).

First Black Players born in France:

Romy Boco (Accrington Stanley);

Youl Mawene (Fleetwood Town).

Yemi Odubade was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 4th July 1984. He became the first black player to represent Stevenage in the Football League on 7th August 2010 following in the footsteps of Roland Butcher who had played for Stevenage in their non-league days.

Steve Mokone was born at Doornfontein, South Africa on 23rd March 1932. He became Coventry City’s first black player on 13th October 1956 and Barnsley’s on 13th September 1961. Gerry Francis was born in Johannesburg on 6th December 1933 and became Leeds United’s first black player on 30th November 1957.

Arthur Wharton is widely recognised as the first black professional footballer. He was born in Jamestown, the Gold Coast (now Accra, Ghana) on 28th October 1865. He played for Preston North End in the 1886/87 FA Cup. He was also the first black player at Sheffield United, making his sole appearance on 23rd February 1895. He died at Edlington, Yorkshire on 13th December 1930

Hassan Hegazi, born in Cairo, Egypt on 14th September 1891, became Fulham’s first black player on 11th November 1911. He died in Egypt on 8th October 1961. Tewfik Abdallah was born in Egypt on 23rd June 1896 and became Derby County’s first black player on 9th October 1920. His date of death is not known.

Drissa Traore was born on 25th March 1992 at Bouake, Ivory Coast. He was one of six black players to take the field in Forest Green Rovers’ first ever game in the Football League on 5th August 2017.

Emmanuel (Manny) Monthe was born in Cameroon on 26th January 1995, he was one of six black players in Forest Green Rovers’ first ever game in the Football League on 5th August 2017.

First Black Players born in Nigeria:

Yemi Odubade (Stevenage [in the Football League]).

First Black Players with Nigerian heritage:

Roy Brown (Stoke City); George Oghani (Bolton Wanderers); Steve Johnson (Wigan Athletic); Efe Sodje (Macclesfield Town); Rashid Yussuff (AFC Wimbledon); and Hope Akpan (Crawley Town).

First Black Players born in South Africa:

Steve Mokone (Coventry City and Barnsley); and Gerry Francis Leeds United).

First Black Players born in Ghana (or Gold Coast):

Arthur Wharton (Preston North End and Sheffield United).

First Black Players with Ghanaian heritage:

Peter Foley (Scunthorpe United); Frank Peterson (Millwall); and Howard Gayle (Liverpool, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers).

First Black Players born in Egypt:

Hassan Hegazi (Fulham); and Tewfik Abdallah (Derby County).

First Black Player born in Ivory Coast:

Drissa Traore (Forest Green Rovers).

First Black Player born in Cameroon:

Emmanuel (Manny) Monthe (Forest Green Rovers).

First Black Player with Cape Verde heritage:

Bob Delgado (Carlisle United).

First Black Players with Sierra Leone heritage:

Howard Gayle (Liverpool, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers); and Chris Kamara (Swindon Town).

First Black Player with Benin heritage:

Romy Boco (Accrington Stanley).

First Black Players swith Democratic Republic of Congo heritage:

Youl Mawene (Fleetwood Town).

Calvin Symonds, born 29th March 1932, in the Parish of Pembroke, became Rochdale’s first black player on 15th September 1955.