Conker Editions

Tag: Watford

The Verulam Radio sports blog with Tony Rice

Verulamium, a name to conjure with. It was the site of a Roman town in what is present day St Albans. I think I may have been taken there as a child, or perhaps I’m confusing it with Colchester. Anyway, Bill Hern and I definitely appeared on the Verulam Radio sports blog where we had a very enjoyable chat with Tony Rice. Some hosts are just great at putting you at your ease and Tony did that from the start.

We spoke to Tony only a couple of days after the sad news that Tony Collins (the first black player at Watford, among others) had died so, understandably, we spent some time discussing Tony’s amazing career. But as usual we strayed far and wide and in particular we ruminated on the importance of education, something that Tony feels as passionately about as we do.

We hope you enjoy listening to it.

https://radioverulam.com/podcast/bill-hern-and-david-gleave-authors-of-footballs-black-pioneers/

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

Armed Forces Day – Footballers Who Served

The contribution made by black men and women to all aspects of British life is often not given the prominence it deserves. Whether it has been in helping establish the NHS, or running our transport and postal services (and many more besides), Britain wouldn’t be the country it is today without the input of unsung black heroes and heroines working alongside their white colleagues.

‘Football’s Black Pioneers’ will remember the first black player to represent each of the EFL (English Football League) and Premier League clubs. We will remember their contribution on the football field.

But several also served in the military.

As today is Armed Forces Day, we pay particular tribute to Walter Tull, the best known of our pioneering footballers to fight for his country.

In addition to being the first black player to represent Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town, Walter served in the Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He was killed in action in France on 25th March 1918.

Walter wasn’t the only footballing pioneer to don a uniform. Tommy Best (Cardiff and Queens Park Rangers), Tony Collins (Crystal Palace, Norwich and Watford), Roy Brown (Stoke City) and Albert Payne (Tranmere Rovers) were among those who served during World War Two.

We salute them.

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’.