Gerry Francis, the first Black player to represent Leeds United in the Football League, has died at the age of ninety-one. He passed away peacefully with his family around him in Canada.
He made his debut, wearing the No.7 shirt, on 30th November 1957, a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City. That was his only appearance that season but he made twelve the following season (scoring three goals) and thirty-one in 1960/61 (scoring six goals). His final four appearance for Leeds were in the 1961/62 season, the last being a home game on 30th September against Preston North End. He also played four cup games for Leeds, scoring one goal. He spent the rest of the 1960/61 season at York City where he made twenty appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals.
He was instrumental in helping fellow South African, Albert Johanneson, settle into English football. Although Albert went on to eclipse Gerry in terms of his fame, they only appeared together in three games but Gerry’s part in Albert’s career should not be forgotten.
In our book Football’s Black Pioneers we were pleased to honour his achievement in becoming Leeds United’s first Black player and record his remarkable journey from repairing shoes in apartheid South Africa to playing in the top division of the English Football League.Â
R.I.P.
