Who was the first non-white footballer to play for Ireland?

[irishultra]

Bit of trivia here, anybody know?

[strangeirish]

Chris Hughton?

[pineapple stu]

Was here some black lad back in the 1890s?

Hughton would be the first of the modern era alright.

[irishultra]

tbh chris hughton was born and grew up in a place that in terms of diversity was years ahead of ireland. Yeah I'd say the answer is him but I'd be more looking for players who grew up in Ireland.

mcgrath would be a much more prime example, because his mother actually met his father in Dublin. same with curtis fleming.

[pineapple stu]

tbh chris hughton was born and grew up in a place that in terms of diversity was years ahead of ireland. Yeah I'd say the answer is him but I'd be more looking for players who grew up in Ireland.
:confused:

So who was the first non-white Irish reared (but not necessarily Irish born) footballer to play for Ireland?

Bit of a pointless question really.

[irishultra]

hahah yeah but well i just want to know. this 1890's player i wonder who it was. it wouldnt suprise me though.

[livehead1]

Ireland must at some stage have fielded an all black defence, i.e. Phelan, McGrath, Hughton, and Babb.

[pineapple stu]

Hughton had retired (91?) before Babb came along (94).

Fleming for Hughton is a possibility, but don't think it happened.

[tricky_colour]

Did we once have an asian keeper?

[Splurge]

Does freckly ginger count?

[pineapple stu]

Did we once have an asian keeper?
Are you thinking of Tom Farquahar?

[Supreme feet]

Did we once have an asian keeper?

You're probably thinking of Alex O'Reilly. Played for us up until U-21, was part of Brian Kerr's U-18 European Champions, last seen playing beach football for England. :(

[rambler14]

Was Stephen Reid the first black captain when he played vs Holland?

[pineapple stu]

McGrath must have been captain at some stage?

[Noelys Guitar]

Chris Hughton Ireland v USA at Dalymount on St Patrick's day 1979?. Great match. Ireland 2-0 down. Came back and won 3-2. Johnny Giles was manager. Giles had an excellent relationship with Black players in England when racism was mainstream in the 70's. Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham commended Giles for his treatment of Black players in England during Giles time as manager of West Brom.

[tricky_colour]

Are you thinking of Tom Farquahar?

Not really ;)

[Crosby87]

Ohh ahh Paul Mcrath ohh ahh paul mcrath.
But seriously the answer is the thin lizzy guy, right? I mean didint Phil play a half when he was 18 for the U-18s? Pretty sure he did. and he scored.
Isnt Van Morrison Irish? He must be Black, right?

[theworm2345]

Ohh ahh Paul Mcrath ohh ahh paul mcrath.
But seriously the answer is the thin lizzy guy, right? I mean didint Phil play a half when he was 18 for the U-18s? Pretty sure he did. and he scored.
Isnt Van Morrison Irish? He must be Black, right?
He was Brazilian after all.

[JR_Ewing]

Louis Bookman (russian-born) is probably worth a mention here - looks a bit tanned in the old sepia-toned pics but then they all kind of did :)

[Drumcondra 69er]

McGrath must have been captain at some stage?

McGrath bricked it when asked to do it by Jack, didn't have the mindset for it, He just couldn't do it, not his style.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Chris Hughton Ireland v USA at Dalymount on St Patrick's day 1979?. Great match. Ireland 2-0 down. Came back and won 3-2. Johnny Giles was manager. Giles had an excellent relationship with Black players in England when racism was mainstream in the 70's. Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham commended Giles for his treatment of Black players in England during Giles time as manager of West Brom.


First Ireland game I was ever brought to, can remember sitting on my Da's shoulders in the Connaught St stand under the King Crsips advertising board loving every minute of it!

Giles would have played with the first black player to play in a Cup final, Albert Johansson at Leeds when it were very rare to see in English football.

[Dodge]

Hughton was the first. There was a black player for Scotalnd in the 1890s, maybe thats what Pineapple stu heard

At senior level, there still hasn't been a non-white player born in Ireland. Obviously McGrath and Fleming were brought up here

[Sheridan]

On the subject of minority representation, bonus points for anyone who can name the Lithuanian Jew who played football and cricket for Ireland.

[pineapple stu]

But seriously the answer is the thin lizzy guy, right? I mean didint Phil play a half when he was 18 for the U-18s? Pretty sure he did. and he scored.
That's the common answer to the first black person to play at Wembley.

[Dodge]

On the subject of minority representation, bonus points for anyone who can name the Lithuanian Jew who played football and cricket for Ireland.
Not sure if he's russian born but its this guy, isn't it?


Louis Bookman (russian-born) is probably worth a mention here - looks a bit tanned in the old sepia-toned pics but then they all kind of did :)

[Sheridan]

Yeah, serves me right for not reading the whole thread. He was born in Lithuania and changed his name from Buchalter.

[EalingGreen]

Yeah, serves me right for not reading the whole thread. He was born in Lithuania and changed his name from Buchalter.
Certainly an interesting and talented individual:
http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2006/08/louis-bookman.html

I often have cause to refer to the above excellent Blog, and would always rely on JCD on such matters, since he is extremely fastidious in his research.

[Mcgeady46]

McGrath must have been captain at some stage?

Was captain for a friendly once towards the end of his time wit Ireland - cant remember who it was against

[gspain]

Louis Bookman used to advertise on the front of the Shelbourne programme.


See this one currently on ebay as an example.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1940-IRISH-FOOTBALL-PROGRAMME-SHELBOURNE-V-ST-JAMES-GAT_W0QQitemZ330299720345QQihZ014QQcategoryZ117174 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[third policeman]

Not perhaps the most PC of exercises but we could field a quite useful 11 of black players who have represented us at under 21 and above level

Randolph

C.Hughton
Babb
Fleming
Phelan

H.Hughton (at least one B cap, but I am sure therer's someone better)
McGrath
Reid
Scannell

Morrison
Goodman

[third policeman]

Not perhaps the most PC of exercises but we could field a quite useful 11 of black players who have represented us at under 21 and above level

Randolph

C.Hughton
Babb
Fleming
Phelan

H.Hughton (at least one B cap, but I am sure therer's someone better)
McGrath
Reid
Scannell

Morrison
Goodman



Forgot about Folan, but there again so has Phil Brown.

[pineapple stu]

Didn't think Randolph was black? :confused: Nor was Goodman; you're mixing Jon and Don, I think.

[Bluebeard]

Didn't think Randolph was black? :confused: Nor was Goodman; you're mixing Jon and Don, I think.
Didn;t think Goodman was useful either...

[pineapple stu]

Bit harsh! Scored in the Macedonia defeat. One goal in seven part appearances isn't too bad.

[monutdfc]

First coloured player to win a senior international cap was



....
wait for it...


...


Willy Brown, 1937
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3657

[Drumcondra 69er]

Bit harsh! Scored in the Macedonia defeat. One goal in seven part appearances isn't too bad.

Goodman was alright, only played 4 games though. Got knackered by injuries.

Certainly wasn't black though! But Randolph is, think his Dad was an American basketball player who settled over here.

[irishultra]

stephen kelly is of libyan descent as well. not really black but will do for the last generation ireland.

[boovidge]

what are the criterea for being "black"?

[SkStu]

good dancers, wear colourful clothes.

[irishultra]

what are the criterea for being "black"?

massive schlong

[third policeman]

Goodman was alright, only played 4 games though. Got knackered by injuries.

Certainly wasn't black though! But Randolph is, think his Dad was an American basketball player who settled over here.


I was convinced that Goodman was black. Sure I saw him playing for Wimbledon against Liverpool.

[Traps Cat]

I was convinced that Goodman was black. Sure I saw him playing for Wimbledon against Liverpool.


Not Exactly: http://www.jamd.com/image/g/1257601

[Superhoops]

Not perhaps the most PC of exercises but we could field a quite useful 11 of black players who have represented us at under 21 and above level

Randolph

C.Hughton
Babb
Fleming
Phelan

H.Hughton (at least one B cap, but I am sure therer's someone better)
McGrath
Reid
Scannell

Morrison
Goodman

Liam George (striker) and Kwame Ampadu (midfield). Both got 4 caps at U21.

[FahyForever]

Lads, what started as an interesting thread has nosedived due to stereotyping and politically incorrect remarks. ´Ace of Spades´ is where the racial slur ´spade´derives from. What next??? Cop on....

[seanfhear]

It is difficult and stupid to be a racist and a supporter of the Irish football team when you consider that one of our best ever players was Paul McGrath and certainly he has been the best in actual tournaments.

[Traps Cat]

It is difficult and stupid to be a racist and a supporter of the Irish football team when you consider that one of our best ever players was Paul McGrath and certainly he has been the best in actual tournaments.


Lads, what started as an interesting thread has nosedived due to stereotyping and politically incorrect remarks. ´Ace of Spades´ is where the racial slur ´spade´derives from. What next??? Cop on....

Post edited - in no way was term used to be racist. Bad call on my part.

[OwlsFan]

We're all from Africa anyway according to the Programme "The Blood of the Irish". Our DNA shows we all originally came from Africa (like the rest of mankind) and then from the Basque region in Spain. So were all Afro-Basques :D

[SkStu]

Lads, what started as an interesting thread has nosedived due to stereotyping and politically incorrect remarks. ´Ace of Spades´ is where the racial slur ´spade´derives from. What next??? Cop on....

If youre counting my post in the above then i think you need to relax and possibly get out more.

[third policeman]

Not Exactly: http://www.jamd.com/image/g/1257601


Stand corrected. Funny how the memory plays tricks. Forgot abour Leon Best.

[bwagner]

H.Hughton
???????????????????????