“We live in a far more multi-racial country now and we want to see more Black faces, more Asian faces, more of everyone who loves the game”. However, his call up for the national side shattered the glass ceiling paving the way for a new generation of young, Black players to emerge through the ranks.Īnderson was awarded an MBE in 2000 and continues to push for more diversity in football particularly at management levels.
The abuse they were getting was as extreme as you would imagine”.Īnderson recalls being pelted by apples, pears and bananas as he warmed up at an away game against Carlisle. Viv’s call up to the national squad was a turning point for English football.Īccording to journalist Darren Lewis: “There were very few Black players at that point. The former Arsenal and Manchester United defender made over 590 club appearances and represented his country 30 times in a playing career lasting over 20 years. “I made a conscious effort of saying ‘I’d like to be on Match of the Day and I want to play football”. “When I first started and I watched Match of the Day the only Black face I ever saw was Clyde Best, who used to play for West Ham,” Anderson says. Viv Anderson, nicknamed ‘Spider’ for his long legs and defending abilities, was the first Black player to represent England in a full international match making his debut in 1978 against Czechoslovakia.
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