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Winston White: Leicester City's Trailblazing First Black Player
Winston White made history as the first Black player to represent Leicester City at just 18 years of age. In this exclusive Q&A, he reflects on his ground-breaking career, the challenges he faced, and the importance of Black History Month.
What were your personal highlights throughout your footballing career?
One of the proudest moments in my football career was making my debut for Leicester City in 1977. I was born and raised in Leicester, so playing for the club was a dream come true. My opportunity came unexpectedly when my manager, Jimmy Bloomfield, called on me.
Keith Weller, one of Leicester's greatest players and an England international, had been injured during training. As I played the same position, the manager placed his faith in me. On the Friday before the match, he simply told me, ‘Winston, get a good night's rest—you’re playing tomorrow against Stoke City.’
How did you feel about being the first Black player to represent the club?
I didn’t really think about being the first Black player until after the game. My focus was solely on doing my best and enjoying football. I knew there had been a couple of Black players on the books earlier, like Romeo Challenger and Brendan Phillip, so opportunities were starting to open up, but I was fortunate to be given the chance to play for the first team.
Honestly, when you're in that kind of institution, you don't think too much about it because you get caught up in making yourself a better player and learning from the senior professionals.
Racism was evident, and there were a lot of issues with Black people not being given opportunities, but I wasn't fully aware of it at the time. I was just focused on doing my job.
What is one of your earliest memories of playing for Leicester City?
I played in a preseason game against Millwall, coming on as a substitute with about 15 minutes to go. We were in the old First Division, and they were in the Second Division. Going to Millwall—known as 'The Den' back then—was a very volatile and intense atmosphere. I had never been there before, and no one had warned me about how intimidating it could be. As we drove into the ground, fans were banging on the coaches, and it was a bit daunting.
The manager had told me I’d be involved at some stage, as every player would get a chance. My only focus was to be as professional as possible since it was one of my first trips with the first team. 15 minutes before the end of the game, the manager called me over and said, 'Winston, you’re going on.'
All I could think about was getting my first touch right and making the most of the opportunity, as that’s what was drilled into us. I went on, had a good 15 minutes, and felt I had done well.
On the coach back to Leicester, the manager said to me, 'Winston, I want to see you first thing Monday morning in my office, 8:30.' I was still an apprentice at the time and had all my chores to do, so I thought I was in trouble. I wondered if I had played badly, but I felt I had done well.
As instructed, I went to his office. I remember knocking on the door, and he told me to come in. He was standing with his back to me, looking in the mirror. I said, 'Yes, boss, you wanted to see me?' He asked, 'How did you feel when you had all those horrible things shouted at you while you were warming up on the touchline?'
I had to think for a second because that was the furthest thing from my mind during the game. I told him, 'Well, I didn’t hear anything.' The next thing he said was, 'Get out of my office because you’re going to be a professional footballer.'
He knew I was mentally strong and didn’t make it an issue. When you start focusing on things you can’t control, that’s when they become a problem.
Has football changed for Black players since you were playing?
It’s definitely improved. There's no doubt about it. When you look at the talent that has come through, not just in England but all over the world, including France, Belgium, and Holland, it’s clear. These countries have tapped into resources and former colonies, bringing in players because they know that Black players possess amazing talent.
Football for Black players has also changed significantly in terms of the salaries they receive. Take N'Golo Kanté, for example. He is a true inspiration—humble, earns a fortune, but stays grounded with his strong work ethic and is unaffected by the noise around him.
Emile Heskey is another great example and a true credit to football. I’d like to think that players like him have come through because of people like us. We may have earned a lot less financially, but we endured much more in terms of abuse.
Image: Alexandra Johnson Photography
How are clubs supporting Black players in navigating cultural differences?
Nowadays, clubs have player care officers, which is fantastic. When a player joins a club, whether Black or White, they often move to a new region or even a different country, and various considerations need to be taken into account.
For a Black player, moving from one part of the country to another, such as from the South to the North of England can feel completely different, almost like chalk and cheese.
I've experienced this myself, having played in the Midlands, the North, and the Southeast. The mentality and attitudes towards Black people and Black players can vary greatly depending on the region, so it's essential to adjust accordingly. There are different cultures within cultures, and it’s important to acknowledge that.
Player care officers are now present at every professional club, at least in the Premier League, and this should be a key part of their role. They help players integrate into society, whether that’s finding a translator, assisting with schools for their children, or helping them settle into a new area.
Who were your role models growing up?
Pele was a huge inspiration to me. He was a phenomenal player who defied expectations, and what he did on the football pitch was simply amazing.
As I got older, my hero became Muhammad Ali. He was beyond sport. Muhammad Ali was a spiritual guy who all he talked about was people being respectful to each other. So, he became my role model in so many ways. In my mid-20s, as I became more aware of social issues, I realised the impact he had, particularly on Black people. His message was always about equality, judging people for their talent and ability, not the colour of their skin.
What was it like playing in the Black vs White game?
In 1979, I played in a testimonial match for West Brom player Len Cantello. It was a unique experience, as we had a Black team playing against a White team. Something that would never happen today.
It was an incredible occasion because it was the first time I had been to a ground with such a diverse crowd. The match took place at West Brom's ground, and I would say about 25% of the spectators were Black, which was amazing. The atmosphere was electric. We were down 1-0 at half-time but came back to win 2-1. There were some fantastic players on the field including Cyril Regis, Laurie Cunnigham, Garth Crooks, Remis Moses and George Berry.
Image: Laurie Rampling/BBC/Sugar Films/Getty
What steps can be taken to better support Black individuals in football?
Good management is what can help Black players. Good coaches and good boards appointing managers of colour. That's what's going to improve this situation. Anyone with hopes and aspirations will rise if they have the ability.
When my cousin, Everton Carr, along with Nev Hamilton and Derek Dawkins, came to Leicester City, I became their mentor. I was very aware of what had been done for me, so I made sure they felt the mental strength I had acquired.
What advice would you give to Black people who are involved in football?
Surround yourself with people who believe in you as an individual. I'd rather have one great friend than 25 fake friends. Don't believe the hype when it comes to social media or listen to people who don't have the expertise to judge you.
Ignore the noise. I know it's easy to say, but it's a learnt skill. Identify your strengths and build on them as a footballer. Just give it a shot and keep working at your craft, and you'll get there eventually.
Why is Black History Month important?
We've contributed so much to society. We've had so much taken and copied from our cultures. Our African cultures our Caribbean cultures. We've had so much taken and copied and mimicked and then somebody else goes on to make a load of money, on top of something that is very much part of the African Caribbean culture.
This year’s Black History Month theme, “Reclaiming Narratives,” marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture. By emphasising this theme, we shine a brighter light on stories, allegories, and histories that underscore our commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage.
To learn more, visit here.
Join us as we celebrate and honour the achievements of the Black community across Leicestershire and Rutland this month.
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