Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
Viv Anderson - first black England footballer
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October 22, 2020
13 minutes
Available for over a year
In November 1978, Viv Anderson became the first black footballer to play a full England international. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Anderson had to endure racial abuse from opposing fans to achieve his dream of reaching the very top of the professional game. He went on to win the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest and to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s first signing at Manchester United. Viv Anderson talks to Rebecca Kesby.
PHOTO: Viv Anderson on his England debut (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)