[Bypassblade]

This is nice to see, and anyone old enough to remember them will know what I mean, 3 excellent players.

PLANS to unveil a statue to immortalise West Brom's iconic Three Degrees of Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson and the late Laurie Cunningham will be revealed today.

The monument will be erected in West Bromwich to celebrate the achievements of the players who pioneered the way for black footballers in this country in the late 1970s.

[Gazza58]

Yep three excellent players,remember that goal regis won goal of the season with. All played in the same west brom team that was managed by big ron,and he still gets accused of being racist[ thats another topic though ]

[CorkerSWFC]

I remember Cyrille Regis, he was one of the first black players I can remember playing...

[hair-rig]

Cunningham the first black England player at any level and first englishman to play for Real Madrid.
Viv Anderson at senior level.
Arthur Wharton first British football black professional player.

[Gazza58]

Arthur wharton was the first black player to play in england,started with preston but then played for rotherham and sheff united. ok its slightly off topic sorry.

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by Gazza58

Arthur wharton was the first black player to play in england,started with preston but then played for rotherham and sheff united. ok its slightly off topic sorry.

not trying to prove you wrong Gazza this is interesting, and sad really

It may have been possible to have seen the first black footballer playing for England back in the 1920's with London-born Jack Leslie, a prolific striker for Plymouth Argyle between 1920 & 1935, scoring over 400 goals. Leslie had been informed by his manager Bob Jack that he had been selected to play for England. He later received communication cancelling his call up to the England team stating that they didn't realise he was ‘a man of colour’. Jack Leslie later remarked in 1982 to Brian Woolnough: “They must have forgotten I was a coloured boy.”

[Gazza58]

How times have changed,thankfully.

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by Gazza58

How times have changed,thankfully.

I remember back in the early 80's we played Man City @ Lane, they had a black goalkeeper Alex Williams. He came to the kop end to take his goal & within minutes the area behind the goal was full of bananas, nothing was done though in those days.

[Gazza58]

Originally Posted by Bypassblade

I remember back in the early 80's we played Man City @ Lane, they had a black goalkeeper Alex Williams. He came to the kop end to take his goal & within minutes the area behind the goal was full of bananas, nothing was done though in those days.

Wouldnt have happened at hillsborough joking of course,it was a common thing up and down the country m8.like you say,nowt was ever done about it.

[CorkerSWFC]

Originally Posted by Bypassblade

I remember back in the early 80's we played Man City @ Lane, they had a black goalkeeper Alex Williams. He came to the kop end to take his goal & within minutes the area behind the goal was full of bananas, nothing was done though in those days.

It wasn't an offence like it is now...

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by Gazza58

Wouldnt have happened at hillsborough joking of course,it was a common thing up and down the country m8.like you say,nowt was ever done about it.

No Gazza snowballs was your specialty lol, just ask Pat Jennings, I know what you mean Corks also but its still a missile, just shows how times & attitudes change.

[charliewag]

remi moses also played with regis, batson and cunningham. i believe big ron took him to old trafford. the first black player i remember in the english league was clyde best at west ham.

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by charliewag

remi moses also played with regis, batson and cunningham. i believe big ron took him to old trafford. the first black player i remember in the english league was clyde best at west ham.

Me an all god he's was brilliant

[melthebell]

i remember the names Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham

[Jim Hardie]

Originally Posted by Bypassblade

I remember back in the early 80's we played Man City @ Lane, they had a black goalkeeper Alex Williams. He came to the kop end to take his goal & within minutes the area behind the goal was full of bananas, nothing was done though in those days.

You didn't have to be black. I remember that happening to Gordon Banks at Hillsborough!
First black players I saw were Albert Johanneson and Stan Horne.

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by Jim Hardie

You didn't have to be black. I remember that happening to Gordon Banks at Hillsborough!
First black players I saw were Albert Johanneson and Stan Horne.

Flipping hell Jim; Gordon Banks, well I'll be blowed, was there a particular reason?

[Gazza58]

Originally Posted by Bypassblade

Flipping hell Jim; Gordon Banks, well I'll be blowed, was there a particular reason?

Cos he looks like a monkey

[Goon]

Originally Posted by Bypassblade

I remember back in the early 80's we played Man City @ Lane, they had a black goalkeeper Alex Williams. He came to the kop end to take his goal & within minutes the area behind the goal was full of bananas, nothing was done though in those days.

Alex, along with other black players at the time had to put up with a lot in them days. It was just something that was expected and they generally put up with it. City were always lucky in that Maine Road was in the heart of Moss Side which had a huge West Indian community and therefore City had a lot of black supporters. I'm sure there may have been racist City supporters but they certainly never dared make themselves known at Maine Road.

Alex went on to work with City's community project and has an MBE for his services to young people. He is still at City in that capacity and is also one of the nicest blokes you could wish to meet.

[Jim Hardie]

Originally Posted by Gazza58

Cos he looks like a monkey

Yes, that was seemingly the reason. As the bananas were thrown they sang 'The monkey wants a banana' to the tune of 'For he's a jolly good fellow'

[Bypassblade]

Originally Posted by Gazza58

Cos he looks like a monkey

Makes no odds Gazza, still the GREATEST goalie EVER