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Viv Anderson: Why Are England In Spain?
The Three Lions' first black representative is flabbergasted that the current crop are returning to Iberia after the abuse they received on their last visit.
Feb 11, 2009 12:04:12 AM
In November 1978, Viv Anderson made history. He didn't do anything special, other than sustain a rich vein of form for high-flying Nottingham Forest and earn a call-up to Ron Greenwood's national squad. But the significance of the East Midlander's achievement was immeasurable.
When he lined up against Czechoslovakia at Wembley, Anderson became the first black footballer to represent England in a full international, signaling the initial big step towards ending the racism that for so long had blighted the sport in Britain.
"It was a really big thing at the time," the 52-year-old said in The Daily Mail. "There were not many black lads playing at the top level, so I can see why people made a fuss about it.
"Bob Latchford from Everton was in the squad and he told me that I would remember the day for the rest of my life and he was right. Everybody was very positive, especially the crowd. To this day it is something I am immensely proud of."
The game has certainly come a long way in the intervening three decades, but the issue of racism is still raging - especially this week, as England prepare for their glamor friendly with Spain.
The Three Lions' trip to Madrid in 2004 ended in uproar after several of the visitors - including Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole and Jermain Defoe - became the target of the home supporters' discriminative slurs.
And Anderson said, "Problems in places like Spain and the Balkan nations still do exist and I have to say I am surprised that we have agreed to go back to a place where some of our players suffered so badly last time.
"We are such a big and respected and powerful football nation that we could choose virtually anybody to play a friendly against. I don’t know. Maybe the Spanish FA have told us that they have changed. Well, if they have, then this is their chance to show it."
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
When he lined up against Czechoslovakia at Wembley, Anderson became the first black footballer to represent England in a full international, signaling the initial big step towards ending the racism that for so long had blighted the sport in Britain.
"It was a really big thing at the time," the 52-year-old said in The Daily Mail. "There were not many black lads playing at the top level, so I can see why people made a fuss about it.
"Bob Latchford from Everton was in the squad and he told me that I would remember the day for the rest of my life and he was right. Everybody was very positive, especially the crowd. To this day it is something I am immensely proud of."
The game has certainly come a long way in the intervening three decades, but the issue of racism is still raging - especially this week, as England prepare for their glamor friendly with Spain.
The Three Lions' trip to Madrid in 2004 ended in uproar after several of the visitors - including Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole and Jermain Defoe - became the target of the home supporters' discriminative slurs.
And Anderson said, "Problems in places like Spain and the Balkan nations still do exist and I have to say I am surprised that we have agreed to go back to a place where some of our players suffered so badly last time.
"We are such a big and respected and powerful football nation that we could choose virtually anybody to play a friendly against. I don’t know. Maybe the Spanish FA have told us that they have changed. Well, if they have, then this is their chance to show it."
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
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