Birmingham Carnival event celebrates Black contribution to football with very special message

An event at Birmingham Windrush Carnival’s main stage on Saturday paid tribute to the Windrush legacy in football – with a message from one very special supporter.

Brendon Batson OBE, legendary player for West Bromwich Albion and one of the trailblazing ‘Three Degrees’ of the 1970s with Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham, was joined onstage by Sunder Katwala of British Future and the Windrush 100 Network, and Garry Stewart of Birmingham’s Recognize Black Heritage & Culture.

As England’s footballers compete in the Euros in Germany, they discussed the symbolic importance of England’s diverse team – and the experience of the Black players of the 70s and 80s who paved the way for today’s stars.

And the Carnival audience was thrilled to hear a special Windrush Day message from England manager Gareth Southgate, read out from the stage. It said:

“I’m really pleased that today you’re taking the time to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation to English football.

“I’ve been on a journey of discovery myself in recent years – learning more about the diversity of our team and acknowledging the fact that our players are very proud to play for England, and equally proud of the heritage of their families. We’ve made that an important part of our culture within the team and we’ve also tried to acknowledge the part that our former players have played.

“I used to go home to see my Grandad every Christmas, where we would watch John Barnes and Luther Blissett play for Watford – and of course for England. I had the good fortune to play with Ian Wright at Crystal Palace and with England, and so many other players from a Caribbean background.

“They have left a legacy for others to follow, and I believe that’s part of what we should do as an England team. We’re pleased with the culture we’re trying to develop, and we’re equally excited about our next generation. But we must always respect the past and the opportunity that others have given us, because of their hard work and some of the suffering they’ve endured. 

“I hope you all have a great day and thank you for your support for our team during this summer’s tournament.”

Brendon Batson congratulated Southgate on the work he has done bringing new diversity into the England coaching team, saying:

“To his credit, what Gareth has done is integrate Black coaches, on merit, into the England set-up. Other managers didn’t do that.”

And he also spoke of the importance of having a national team that represents England’s diverse society today, celebrating that the Three Lions team “reflects the society that we have here in England.”

But Batson, who became Arsenal’s first Black player in the early 1970s before shooting to prominence at West Bromwich Albion, for whom he made over 170 appearances, reminded the audience that the pioneering Black footballers of the 1970s endured many hardships – and outright racism – before crowds warmed to them.

“We shouldn’t forget the sacrifices that people made,” he said.” When I came here there were still notices saying ‘No Irish, no dogs, no blacks’”

“But you can’t deny talent and Black players kept coming through, despite all the racism and abuse. They endured that… It has got better – it had to get better. And you see now the diverse England team that we have. And you can also see, in Jude Belingham, a world-class player, who came from just down the road in Stourbridge and is potentially an England captain in the making.”

Garry Stewart, whose Recognize organisation educates and empowers local communities by raising awareness of Black culture, acknowledged that the stories of trailblazing Black footballers, as well as today’s Three Lions, can be an inspiration to people today. But he also appealed to the Birmingham audience to look closer to home for inspiring stories too.

“There are so many people today with stories to share,” he said. “Please do tell people your stories, don’t leave it to the history books. Because a lot of the history books have left you out.”

The Windrush Carnival event followed the publication of a joint letter from legendary Black footballers, including Brendon Batson and Viv Anderson, who became England’s first Black full international men’s player in 1978. The signatories are calling for greater recognition of the Black contribution to our national game, particularly when the UK and Ireland host the next Euros in 2028. That year also marks 50 years since Viv Anderson became England’s first Black full international player and 30 years since Hope Powell became the Lionesses’ first Black manager – as well as 80 years since the Windrush arrived in Britain.