We have had a chance to read through this brilliant book by Bill Hern and David Gleave ⁦ @pioneers_book⁩. It’s a great read, scholarly but accessible. It has info on black football players from all of 92 league clubs - players and pioneers, and great stories! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚽️" title="Fußball" aria-label="Emoji: Fußball">

The Football’s Black Pioneers book has a great intro by our Campaign supporter @Anderson_Viv , and a reference to Jack Leslie!

In Bill and David’s introduction to the book they set out why they wrote the book- and do not shy away from the issue of racism, that has been prevalent within the game. (We also recommend @pitchblackbook for more on the this)

By way of example of the book’s content, check out page for @ASFCofficial Accrington Stanley - a founder member of the football league 1888, but no black player until 1975 (Gerry Clarke) Also a great account of the well-travelled Romy Boco (also did a shift at @Only1Argyle!)

Also can’t resist an extract from the chapter on Brendon Batson- also one of our Campaign supporters! First black player to make a first-team appearance for @Arsenal , and commemorated in the “celebration statue” (see photo in earlier tweet).
Buy the book for the whole story! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙂" title="Leicht lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Leicht lächelndes Gesicht">

By the way, before final tweet of this thread, thank you Bill and David for allowing us to share extracts from @pioneers_book -we are mindful of copyright, and obtained permission. The book is well worth a buy - we recommend it! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up">
https://www.conkereditions.co.uk/product/footballs-black-pioneers-subscriber-copies-for-pre-order/">https://www.conkereditions.co.uk/product/f...

Final tweet of this thread about @pioneers_book has to be- of course! - an extract from the chapter on Jack Leslie. It’s great that Jack is finally getting the recognition he deserves. This is the book. We are the statue. #JackLeslieCampaign #KickItOut https://jackleslie.co.uk/ ">https://jackleslie.co.uk/">...