Conker Editions

Tag: Crystal Palace

Tony Collins R.I.P.

We were truly saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Collins at the age of 94. Tony truly was a pioneer. He was the first black player at three clubs who are current members of the Football League (Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Watford) and at two further clubs who were in the League when he played for them (York City and Torquay United).

He also made history as the first black manager of a Football League club (Rochdale), before going on the play prominent roles at Bristol City, Leeds United, Manchester United and England).

A legend has passed.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/08/tony-collins-football-league-first-black-manager-dies-at-94?CMP=share_btn_link

Russ’s Rambles – Football’s Black Pioneers

You know how some people like to watch cricket on the TV with the sound turned down and listen to the radio commentary? If you watch this edition of Russ’s Rambles then I’d recommend turning the pictures down and listening to the sound – neither Bill or I would claim to be photogenic!

Our chat with Russ Budden did indeed ‘ramble’ but I hope you’ll agree we covered some interesting ground.

Football’s Black Pioneers on the Adrian Goldberg talk show

It was a pleasure to chat to Adrian Goldberg about ‘Football’s Black Pioneers’. He was enthusiastic about the book which he described as ‘a simple but brilliant concept’ and ‘a really great book’. There are a couple of slips of the tongue on my part, I should clarify that Arthur Wharton was the first professional black player, Willie Clarke was the first black player to score in the English Football League and Charlie Williams was the only black man in his village not in the whole of Yorkshire!

Tony Collins, still going strong at 93

Pioneering black footballer, Tony Collins, was the first black player at several Football League clubs in the 1940s and 1950s and also became the first black manager of a League club in 1960. He was recently interviewed by BBC North West: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/37698576 (you will need Adobe Flash Player to view the video).

Tony will certainly feature in our forthcoming book ‘Football’s Black Pioneers’.