Remembering the trailblazing Howard Gayle

Howard Gayle was a Liverpool trailblazer.

As part of Black History Month, this is a tribute to the first Black player to sign professionally for Liverpool.

In the year we first became Kings of the continent – 1977, another landmark occurred. However, as Howard Gayle has himself admitted, it was others who highlighted that it was he, the boy from Toxteth, would go down in history as the trailblazing pioneer.

On the pitch, it was in 1981 in the European cup semi-final, second leg that Gayle’s finest hour came. He was brought on as a substitute for ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish against Bayern Munich and ran the Germans off the park.

His instrumental performance in that game helped the Reds secure their third European Cup in the final. 38 years later, another Black footballer also came on as a substitute in the continent’s showpiece tournament semi-final second-leg to help the Reds achieve the miracle of all miracles at Anfield.

This campaign followed the same pattern as 1981 with silverware secured. Thank you Gini Wijnaldum.

Gayle has been a strong proponent of anti-racism in football and in particular, illustrating the culture which allows intolerance and hatred to flourish.

His excellent book titled ’61 minutes in Munich’ (2016) draws out the deep personal challenges Gayle faced on and off the pitch. He doesn’t hold back against some of his former peers who owing to their status used that authority to their advantage.

The Guardian published an exclusive extract from his book, in which Gayle stressed that

"“As the first black player, my situation was unique. I had to show a greater mental resilience to survive and succeed.”"

This was in the late 1970s against a backdrop of an unhealthy culture whereby racism was obvious as well as hidden and where any impact on mental health would have been dismissed as a weakness of character.

Gayle’s career at Anfield was very short in terms of games played but he lived the dream, broke the mould, collected a European Cup and has continued to speak up for justice and equality.

Howard Gayle – We salute you. YNWA.

Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.