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Rochdale's first Black player 11:44 - Jan 12 with 11780 viewsdg1937

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.
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Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 with 7521 viewsdg1937

Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.

I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.

Cheers and good luck for the season ahead.
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Rochdale's first Black player on 21:36 - Sep 19 with 7508 views442Dale

Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 by dg1937

Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.

I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.

Cheers and good luck for the season ahead.


Thanks for the update. Really good story that and one which illustrates what a useful place this is.


Sometimes.

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Rochdale's first Black player on 21:43 - Sep 19 with 7486 viewsboromat

Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 by dg1937

Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.

I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.

Cheers and good luck for the season ahead.


Great story and brilliant to hear he's well. Sounds like you probably made his year 👍.

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Rochdale's first Black player on 00:27 - Jan 3 with 6901 viewsdg1937

I've just received a photo from Bermuda of your first black player, Calvin Symonds, hopefully this link will work:

https://footballs-black-pioneers.com/about/calvin-symonds-best-wishes-for-2021/

Lovely to see him still going strong at 88.
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Rochdale's first Black player on 11:07 - Jan 3 with 1804 viewsYorkshire_Dale

Rochdale's first Black player on 00:27 - Jan 3 by dg1937

I've just received a photo from Bermuda of your first black player, Calvin Symonds, hopefully this link will work:

https://footballs-black-pioneers.com/about/calvin-symonds-best-wishes-for-2021/

Lovely to see him still going strong at 88.


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?
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Rochdale's first Black player on 15:36 - Jan 3 with 1701 viewsboromat

Rochdale's first Black player on 00:27 - Jan 3 by dg1937

I've just received a photo from Bermuda of your first black player, Calvin Symonds, hopefully this link will work:

https://footballs-black-pioneers.com/about/calvin-symonds-best-wishes-for-2021/

Lovely to see him still going strong at 88.


Great piece thanks for posting 👍

Poll: What are we more excited for?

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Rochdale's first Black player on 16:33 - Jan 3 with 1660 viewsncfc_chalky

Fascinating read,I didn't know that black players had been a part of English football so far back

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Rochdale's first Black player on 20:09 - Jan 3 with 1590 viewsdg1937

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!!
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Rochdale's first Black player on 22:18 - Jan 3 with 1539 viewsdg1937

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.
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Rochdale's first Black player on 14:54 - Mar 29 with 1284 viewsdg1937

Calvin Symonds, Rochdale's first black player is 89 today and looking very trim wnen I saw him on a Bermuda TV show a couple of nights ago! https://footballs-black-pioneers.com/about/calvin-symonds-is-89/
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