Great to have a book that has a Rochdale Hornets connection, in one of the chapters Harry Edgar tells of how Joe Levula travelled to England from Fiji in response to an advertisement placed by the Rochdale Hornets in 1961! Click here to buy the book

Book Description

From Alex Givvons to Billy Boston, Wally McArthur, Joe Levula, Martin Offiah and beyond, this book tells the story of the hidden history of black, Asian, Maori and Aboriginal players in British rugby league. Fifty years before the first black footballer represented England, Jimmy Cumberbatch was scoring tries for the England rugby league team. In the 1950s Roy Francis became the first black professional coach in any British team sport. And in 1972 Clive Sullivan lifted the World Cup for Great Britain as the first black player to captain a British national side. With contributions from notable writers including Dave Hadfield of the Independent newspaper, Peter Lush of Our Game rugby league magazine, Harry Edgar from the Rugby League Journal, and former players Clive Griffiths, Bev Risman and Cec Thompson, this book tells its story from the inside. Featuring sixteen of the game's greatest stars, it recounts their lives, warts and all, from their struggles to incomparable achievements. It also tells the story of how rugby league opened its doors to black sportsmen when other sports turned their backs on them. Whether you are a rugby league supporter, a sports fan or simply interested in the history of black and Asian people in Britain, this is one book you must read.

Synopsis

From Lucius Banks to Billy Boston, Wally McArthur, Joe Levula, Martin Offiah, Jason Robinson and beyond, this title tells the story of the hidden history of black, Asian, Maori and Aborginal players in British rugby league.