Black football heroes celebrated in unique new book

14 Oct Black football heroes celebrated in unique new book

The front cover of The Black Football Heritage Book.

The first book to celebrate the enormous contribution made by black footballers to the English game over the past 125 years is being launched on Wednesday, October 15.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Black Football Heritage Book has been compiled by Jim Cadman with contributors including students at Sandwell College, writers – including Chris Green – and photographers. The book also features original photographs, statistics, memorabilia and illustrations.

Among the football pioneers featured are Arthur Wharton, who became the world’s first black professional player when he signed for Rotherham United in 1889, and West Bromwich Albion icons Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, has written the foreword to the book and the first copy to be printed has been sent to the Center for Civil and Human Rights in the US city of Atlanta, at the request of Martin Luther King III.

Jim Cadman said: “The book examines the heritage created by over 50 individual black footballers, many of whom ignored racism on the terraces and became role models and mentors for future generations. We hope that it will encourage and stimulate readers to look further into the careers and achievements of these remarkable players.”

The Black Football Heritage book is being launched at The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion FC, on Wednesday, October 15 at 11am.

Notes to editors

For more details, call Teresa Green at Chris Green Media on 01905 453908/07985 322142 or email teresa@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk

Working in association with Sandwell College, The Football Association, The National Football Museum, Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations, Kick it Out, The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer School, West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club, The National Children’s Football Alliance, Rotherham United FC and The Professional Footballers Association, the book will be distributed in Sandwell and as part of a national roll out from October 15. 2014.

Recipients will include schools, academies, libraries, community groups, youth groups, football clubs at grass roots level and voluntary organisations throughout the country.