Yet despite the atrocious conditions, the fixture went ahead as planned, and after 90 minutes of less-than-inspiring football, England had beaten Czechoslovakia 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.
More importantly, however, was the fact that Anderson had made history as the first Black player to represent the England national team.
Up and down the country, Anderson says that racist abuse formed an ugly backdrop to some of his football career.
“It’s one of those things we (Black players) all had to get through if we wanted to make a career,” he says.
Whether it be on the playground, whether it be at home with nieces and nephews, I was always playing football.
Persons:
Viv Anderson, Anderson, ” Anderson, Anderson’s, Queen Elizabeth II, Elton John, “, didn’t, Peter Robinson, –, ”, Graham Budd, Brian Clough, Clough, ’ ”, “ ‘ You’ve, you’ve, Shutterstock Anderson, Clyde Best, Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson, Cyrille Regis, ’ ” Regis, you’re, ’ ” Anderson, Michel Barrault, Keith Alexander, Lincoln, nothing’s, That’s, Richard Masters, Simon Bruty, Jack Leslie, Greg Clarke, it’s
Organizations:
CNN, England, Wembley, England national, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Arsenal, CNN Sport, –, FA Cup, Football League, West Brom, English Premier League, Black, English Football Association, ” Premier League, Plymouth Argyle
Locations:
Czechoslovakia, Nottingham, England, Jamaica, Carlisle, Coventry