Calvin Symonds became the first Black player to represent Rochdale AFC when he played for them in 1955. He is now 92 years young and living in Bermuda where he was born in 1932. It was our great privilege to meet him and his wife Valerie when we visited Bermuda recently.
Calvin is still something of a celebrity on the island, remembered as much if not more for his exploits as a cricketer.
A few days after the above photo was taken Calvin was interviewed for a local cable TV channel along with another Bermudian football legend, Clyde Best. It was our pleasure to be in the studio with them while they exchanged reminisces. Calvin’s memory is razor sharp and he was able to vividly describe goals he scored over fifty years ago.
Clyde, who also played cricket before leaving the island for a football career with West Ham, still refers to Calvin as ‘captain’ and acknowledges him as a true pioneer. Two true gentlemen!
