Rochdale's first Black player 11:44 - Jan 12 with 9087 views | dg1937 | Hi, I'm doing some research into the first Black footballers at various league clubs. I believe Rochdale's first was Tony Collins in 1959/60. Does anyone disagree with that? Of course he went on to be manager, probably the first Black manager in the football league, and took you to the League Cup Final. Do any older supporters have memories of him either as a player or manager? Did anyone on here actually meet him and, if so, what was he like? Some of you may know a book was recently published about him, how the game has changed since his playing days! Thanks. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Rochdale's first Black player on 11:07 - Jan 3 with 1330 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
Thanks for posting this link.....appreciated. The lad looks in really good shape for 88....is he free a week on Tuesday, we need some players fit to play Charlton? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Rochdale's first Black player on 15:36 - Jan 3 with 1227 views | boromat |
Great piece thanks for posting 👠| ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) |
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Rochdale's first Black player on 16:33 - Jan 3 with 1186 views | ncfc_chalky | Fascinating read,I didn't know that black players had been a part of English football so far back | ![](/images/avatars/27040.gif) |
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Rochdale's first Black player on 20:09 - Jan 3 with 1116 views | dg1937 |
Rochdale's first Black player on 11:07 - Jan 3 by Yorkshire_Dale | Thanks for posting this link.....appreciated. The lad looks in really good shape for 88....is he free a week on Tuesday, we need some players fit to play Charlton? |
I'll ask him!! | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Rochdale's first Black player on 22:18 - Jan 3 with 1065 views | dg1937 |
Rochdale's first Black player on 16:33 - Jan 3 by ncfc_chalky | Fascinating read,I didn't know that black players had been a part of English football so far back |
You aren't alone in that. In fact the first black professional footballer was Arthur Wharton who played FA Cup games for Preston North End in 1886 and there has been at least one black player in the Football League every decade since then. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
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