Football has always had the potential to unite people from different backgrounds. However, that has not always been the norm. Throughout football history, there have been incidents of racism on the field as marginalised football players faced discrimination from fans and players alike. The excitement that the beautiful game ignites is similar to the thrill of getting involved with the best online casino action. We take a look at some of the biggest Black icons in football who have paved the way for younger footballers.
1. Arthur Wharton
Wharton was a Ghanian goalkeeper and is considered to be the world’s first Black professional footballer. At the age of 17, he moved to England before relocating in the North East in 1884. He began his career as an amateur goalkeeper for Darlington, where he was spotted by Preston North End. Wharton went on to join Preston North End and was part of the team that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1886-87. In 2003, Wharton was initiated into the English Football Hall of Fame for the influence he made within the sport. He was also honoured with a statue at St. George’s Park National Football Centre.
2. John Barnes
Celebrated for being one of Liverpool F.C. and England’s most talented wingers, John Barnes incredibly scored 198 goals throughout his career. Born and raised in Jamaica, he moved to England at the age of 12. Both Watford and Liverpool consider Barnes a legend as he appeared 547 times for the two clubs combined, and earned 79 caps for England. While Barnes played for Liverpool, he won the League title in his first season at the club and remained undefeated for the first 29 games of the season. He made his debut at Liverpool while racism was quite extensive. Barnes was the second black player to appear for Liverpool and was constantly subjected to racial abuse by supporters and players of opposition teams.
3. Emma Clarke
Born in Liverpool in 1876, Emma Clarke became the first Black woman footballer in Great Britain. She made her professional debut for British Ladies in 1895 in Crouch End. Her career as a football player continued until 1903 and the details regarding her life after that are scarce. One thing is for sure, Clarke’s presence on the field created momentous possibilities for women who came after her. She truly is an icon in the sport.
4. Tony Collins
The retired English football player, manager, and scout played as a left-winger. Tony Collins went on to manage Rochdale between 1960 and 1967. While playing as a left-winger for Watford, he made 90 appearances for the club. Collins received the Service to Football Award at the 2017 League Managers Association Awards.
5. Benjamin Odeje
In 2013, it was confirmed that Benjamin Odeje was the first Black footballer to represent England schoolboys. In 1971, at the age of 15, he was called up for England schoolboys in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. His peers called him ‘Pele’ after he scored almost 400 goals in his youth career. Odeje went on to play for Charlton Academy, Hendon, Clapton, and Dulwich Hamlet.
6. Viv Anderson
Viv Anderson is an English football coach and former player who played for various clubs, including Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sheffield Wednesday. Anderson is recognised for being the first Black football player to represent England in a full international match. He went on to claim 30 caps and was part of the team at two World Cups (Spain 1982 and Mexico 1986), although he did not make an appearance on the field at either World Cups.
7. Hope Powell
Hope Powell is an English former international footballer and women’s first-team manager of Brighton & Hove Albion. Powell is recognised as the first Black woman manager of any England national team. During her football playing days, she scored 35 goals in 66 games for the national team. After she hung up her boots, Powell became invested in the managerial position. She took over at England Women and stayed for an incredible 15 years. Powell was the first woman to receive the UEFA Pro License in 2003 which is the highest qualification a coach can obtain.
8. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is a winger and attacking midfielder for Manchester City and the England national team. Born in Jamaica, Sterling moved to England at the age of five and began his career at Queens Park Rangers before he signed for Liverpool in 2010. Throughout his incredible professional career, Sterling has been on the receiving end of racism, especially from English tabloids to which he decided to speak up against. Sterling accused the Sun and Daily Mail of “fueling racism” and stirring up “aggressive behaviour” against young Black men. He has been an influential activist in regards to racism within football. In spite of the racism he experiences, he is truly an incredible footballer, earning 53 caps for England and was voted the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for the 2018/19 season.
9. Cyrille Regis
Cyrille Regis was an English footballer who played in the forward position. His professional playing career spanned 19 years, where he scored 158 league goals in 614 league appearances most notably at West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City. In addition to his club-level success, Regis also won five caps with the England national team. Regis will always be remembered for helping to pave the way for future generations of Black footballers.
10. Luther Blissett
Born in Jamaica, Luther Blissett is best known for his appearances at Watford. He helped the club win promotion from the Fourth Division to the First Division. The striker became the first Black player to score a hat-trick for England when he netted three goals on his debut in a 9-0 win over Luxembourg in 1982. At a club level, he has also played for AC Millan and Bournemouth. He still holds Watford’s all-time records for both appearances (503) and goals (186). At Bournemouth, he had a goals-to-games ratio of nearly one goal in every two appearances.
All these fantastic footballers are so inspiring and proof that incredible things can happen when we defy the odds. Football is a powerful sport with the potential to break down many societal barriers. We hope to see many younger generations exceed in football and stand up against racism. Who are your favourite footballers that have taken a stand against racism on and off the field?