<p>This is the story of Black footballers in the English game. This is our sporting history, this is yours. </p><p>In episode 4 you'll find out about how Black players finally got national and international&nbsp;recognition by playing for England, as we learn about a group of players who survived and thrived in the 1980s. The 80s were seen as a dark period of English football, a decade characterised by images of violent, racist fans running riot across crumbling terraces. This was a period of immense change for Black footballers, as It was one which proved that Black talent was a force to be reckoned with, at home and abroad. We tell the story of&nbsp;Viv Anderson,&nbsp;the first Black player to represent England at senior level. Chelsea’s first Black player, Paul Canoville, who was racially abused by players&nbsp;and his own&nbsp;fans.&nbsp;Justin Fashanu,&nbsp;the first £1m Black footballer, and the 1st player to come out as gay.&nbsp;John Fashanu, the&nbsp;Wimbledon striker and leader of the ‘Crazy Gang’, and&nbsp;John Barnes, the&nbsp;Watford and Liverpool winger, who was the first Black player to become a regular for England, and play in a major tournament for England at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.</p><p>They are trailblazers and history makers. Players who made a place for themselves, and the Black and Mixed Race footballers who would follow them.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>