Many of the pioneers who feature in Football’s Black Pioneers experienced racism during their time in the game, Paul Canoville faced more than most. The fans at many clubs could overlook the colour of a player’s skin if he was wearing the shirt of the team they supported. This didn’t stop them abusing black players on opposing teams in the vilest terms. Chelsea fans were unusual, if not quite unique, in the abuse they heaped on one of their own.
Paul made his Chelsea debut on 12th April 1982 and I was in the crowd that day. Football Shorts have now published the story and you can read it here:
https://www.footballshorts.org/all-the-films/your-stories-david-gleave
Eventually Paul won over many of the doubters through his performances in Chelsea’s colours but the abuse should never have happened.
He has written about his experiences within football and beyond and his auto-biography is well worth reading.
