Hurry Hurry

Throughout history a number of Black footballers have led the way for future generations.
They had to battle against racism and discrimination throughout their everyday lives to reach the top of the game, before going on to leave their mark on the sport forever.
In the 1960s, Albert Johanneson was a trailblazer for black footballers in Britain, a silky, elegant footballing magician who lit up the football league. Born in South Africa Albert suffered horrendous racism under its apartheid policy, before moving to Leeds in the north of England in 1961.
Arriving in England he was still confronted with racism, facing abuse by fans and opposition players, with monkey chants, Zulu calls and the throwing of bananas a common occurrence. He endured the hatred and rose above it to reach the pinnacle of English football. Although it cannot be ascertained as to how the treatment he received affected his confidence as a man or his performances as a footballer, it can be assumed that as well as a history of alcoholism in his family it played a major role in his own descent into addiction.
In 1965 Albert made history by becoming the first black player to play in an FA Cup Final, but even this glorious occasion was tarnished with racism. This book covers Albert's story from his early days in South Africa through to his rise to the top of English football. Interspersed with the stories of the Black footballing trailblazers throughout history, the book makes a fascinating read.