Coming In From The Cold

This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours.

In Episode 5, we’ll head into possibly the most transformative period of time for the national game. The 1990s...

When the game was rebooted off the back of the national team being a force once again in major tournaments; the Premier League was born; and a new age of superstar overseas talent changed English football for good. The changing perception of the Black footballer in England would be personified by a player who brought the streets to stadiums - and inspired generations... Ian Wright.

We tell the story of how Paul Ince became the first Black England captain, Andy Cole winning every domestic honour, and being a part of that treble winning team & Les Ferdinand, the icon who's impact and influence is still felt in the game now, PLUS the formation of Kick It Out, founded by Lord Herman Ouseley.

They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them. 

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This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours.

In episode 4 you'll find out about how Black players finally got national and international recognition by playing for England, as we learn about a group of players who survived and thrived in the 1980s. The 80s were seen as a dark period of English football, a decade characterised by images of violent, racist fans running riot across crumbling terraces. This was a period of immense change for Black footballers, as It was one which proved that Black talent was a force to be reckoned with, at home and abroad. We tell the story of Viv Anderson, the first Black player to represent England at senior level. Chelsea’s first Black player, Paul Canoville, who was racially abused by players and his own fans. Justin Fashanu, the first £1m Black footballer, and the 1st player to come out as gay. John Fashanu, the Wimbledon striker and leader of the ‘Crazy Gang’, and John Barnes, the Watford and Liverpool winger, who was the first Black player to become a regular for England, and play in a major tournament for England at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.

They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them.

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This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours. In this third episode we’ll continue to find out about how Black players have been a fixture of professional football in England, during the 1970s.

In this episode we’ll tell you all about the men who proved that Black players could hold their own anywhere on the pitch, anywhere in the land - and beyond. The influence of the Brazil 1970 World Cup winning team led by outstanding Black players like Pele, Jairzinho and the captain, Carlos Alberto. The Three Degrees... Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson. Three brilliant Black stars who took West Brom - and English football - to another level. We also tell the story of the Whites vs Blacks match, a game that took place for West Bromwich Albion's Len Cantello, for his testimonial game. Did you know about the incident involving Wolves & Wales defender George Berry going into the crowd to confront a racist fan, many years before Eric Cantona's infamous kung fu kick at Selhurst Park?

They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them.

WARNING: This episode contains a racial slur, that some may find potentially offensive.

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This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours. In this second episode we’ll continue to find out about how Black players have been a fixture of professional football in England, during the interwar years, the aftermath of World War 2, the 1950's and the 1960's. 

In this episode we’ll learn about the Black player who really did become the first to wear the white shirt of England; West Ham's John Charles. The great highs and tragic lows of ‘The Black Flash, Leeds United's Albert Johanneson and the Bermudan boy who became 'The Man' in the East End of London... West Ham United's Clyde Best.

They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them.

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This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours. In this first episode we’ll be finding out about how Black players have been a fixture in the game since the very beginnings of professional football in England. We tell you the story of the first black professional footballer in England, Arthur Wharton, You’ll learn about a player called Walter Tull who was a pariah on the pitch - but a hero in the field, and how a Colour Bar existed for the England national team in regards, to a Plymouth Argyle striker called Jack Leslie. You’ll learn about people you may never have heard of, but you should know them. They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them.

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Coming Soon...

This is a story starting from the late 19th century up to the present day, spanning three centuries. The history of black footballers in England will be told and narrated by Jessica Creighton with insights from current and former players and managers. Our contributors were influenced by those first trailblazers in the English game, and then became pioneers themselves, who broke down barriers whilst playing professionally for English clubs and for England.

We chart the history of well-known ‘icons’ such as Cyrille Regis, John Barnes, Brendon Batson, Laurie Cunningham, Paul Ince, Ian Wright, Rio Ferdinand, Raheem Sterling, Les Ferdinand and Viv Anderson, alongside the lesser known forebears; Arthur Wharton, Walter Tull, Jack Leslie and Albert Johanneson. 

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