This Day in History: 2023-02-16

Nr. 406

BLACK POWER EMERGES AT WEMBLEY (1965)

South African born Albert Johanneson was not the first black footballer to play in England, but he achieved the distinction of being the first to play at Wembley in an FA Cup final. The skilful left-winger was signed for Second Division Leeds United in 1961 and was a fixture in the side when it won promotion to the First Division in 1964. Johanneson’s 1 May 1965 FA Cup final appearance against Liverpool turned out to be the high point of his career, for he was overshadowed over the next two seasons by new signing Eddy Gray and finally left for York City before retiring.

Albert Johanneson spent nine years at Elland Road with Leeds United, but his historic Wembley appearance ended in disappointing defeat.