Football's Black Pioneers: The Stories of the First Black Players to Represent the 92 League Clubs

A new perspective on the lives, careers and experiences of groundbreaking black footballers in England. Ninety-two chapters tell the unique stories of the first black players to represent each of the Football League clubs. Four years of original research have not only identified these history makers but have also uncovered a wealth of fascinating and often eye-opening personal tales. This collection of rich and hugely varied stories spans the period from Arthur Whartons debut for Sheffield United in 1885 right up to the present day, covering over 130 years of social history. They include personal interviews with many of the players including Viv Anderson MBE, Chris Kamara, Tony Ford MBE, Neville Chamberlain and Roland Butcher and family members of stars from the more distant past. Footballs Black Pioneers features an incredible variety of emotive human stories and forgotten characters, together with a powerful theme of struggle against now-unthinkable attitudes, and the revelation of many unexpected historical facts. MEDIA FEDDBACK ON FOOTBALLS BLACK PIONEERS -- Some very interesting stories, some remarkable stories. An incredibly timely release. Now, more than ever, this is an important book. Hawksbee & Jacobs, talkSPORT -- An extraordinary volume of research an important social history. SportsBookoftheMonth.com -- A book that has been thoroughly researched, and that is bursting with uncharted soccer history Digs up so much entertaining and thought-provoking material in covering the first Black players in English soccer. Ian Plenderleith, Soccer America -- Littered with great surprises and stories at every turn. Enormously entertaining, it also details the issues that players and their families suffered both on and off the pitch. An excellent piece of research and writing timely indeed. FootballBookReviews.com -- This book is fantastic. A great concept and some really interesting stories that Id never heard before. When Football Was Better