| Rochdale's first Black player 11:44 - Jan 12 with 7757 views | dg1937 |
Hi, I'm doing some research into the first Black footballers at various league clubs. I believe Rochdale's first was Tony Collins in 1959/60. Does anyone disagree with that?
Of course he went on to be manager, probably the first Black manager in the football league, and took you to the League Cup Final.
Do any older supporters have memories of him either as a player or manager? Did anyone on here actually meet him and, if so, what was he like?
Some of you may know a book was recently published about him, how the game has changed since his playing days!
Thanks. |  | | |  |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:02 - Jan 12 with 6506 views | DaleiLama |
Before I was born, but if you type black player, black manager and Tony Collins in to the search function on here, it will bring up various previous threads. You can PM any of the posters for further insight? |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:11 - Jan 12 with 6472 views | dale5758 |
First I can recall was Leo Skeete approx. 1971-72-73 |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:18 - Jan 12 with 6453 views | DaleView |
I seem to recall a player called Carl Symonds. I think that he was a Jamacan lad, centre forward I think and earlier than Tony Collins.
And yes, I knew Tony Collins when he was manager. A very pleasant personality, quiet spoken (surprisingly, being a footballer) and very well mannered. I frequently passed the time of day with him when he was walking his dog in Springfield Park and I was on my way to have a game of golf. Lovely memories. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:18 - Jan 12 with 6453 views | 1949er |
Joe Cooke? | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:24 - Jan 12 with 6441 views | Hopwoodblue |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 12:11 - Jan 12 by dale5758 |
First I can recall was Leo Skeete approx. 1971-72-73 |
Tony Whelan, same era really skilful player. |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 14:13 - Jan 12 with 6238 views | pioneer |
Skeete was signed in 1973 from Ellmsmere Port I think - scored a bunch in the last two months of that season when we finished half way up third level. That summer Dick Conner was sacked as manager, Walter Joyce brought in and poor Leo was left to lead the attack in what must rate as one of the worst teams in our history. That was his last season with us. Former Man City defender Stan Horne (another 'black' player, apologies if thats not the current politically correct term) and Tony Whelan signed from Man United in summer 1974. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 22:38 - Jan 12 with 6012 views | DiddyDave |
Charlie (I`ll come and live next door to you if don`t laugh at my jokes) Williams was the first I ever saw and that was in the fifties. Think he played for Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham from memory. | | | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 00:37 - Jan 13 with 5945 views | Dale1940 |
I think Carl Symonds was the first coloured player to play for the Dale, he didnt play a lot of games, he was the pro for Rochdale CC | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 02:54 - Jan 13 with 5914 views | pioneer |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 00:37 - Jan 13 by Dale1940 |
I think Carl Symonds was the first coloured player to play for the Dale, he didnt play a lot of games, he was the pro for Rochdale CC |
Calvin Symondswas from Bermuda. He played one game at centre forward in a 2-0 loss at Barrow in September 1955. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 08:06 - Jan 13 with 5833 views | fitzochris |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 00:37 - Jan 13 by Dale1940 |
I think Carl Symonds was the first coloured player to play for the Dale, he didnt play a lot of games, he was the pro for Rochdale CC |
Perhaps an edit to change the term you've used there is required. |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 08:13 - Jan 13 with 5821 views | judd |
If they were playing nowadays there's no doubt that Leipzig would of been scouting them. |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:07 - Jan 13 with 5736 views | R17ALE |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 08:06 - Jan 13 by fitzochris |
Perhaps an edit to change the term you've used there is required. |
Good spot Fitzo. It's The Dale with a capital T.
Always annoys me when fans use a lazy t. |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:38 - Jan 13 with 5689 views | fitzochris |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:07 - Jan 13 by R17ALE |
Good spot Fitzo. It's The Dale with a capital T.
Always annoys me when fans use a lazy t. |
Yes, proper nouns deserve respect. | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:44 - Jan 13 with 5681 views | judd |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:38 - Jan 13 by fitzochris |
Yes, proper nouns deserve respect. |
I hope I'm pronouncing nouns correctly. | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 11:15 - Jan 13 with 5658 views | fitzochris |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 10:44 - Jan 13 by judd |
I hope I'm pronouncing nouns correctly. |
You'd better pronounce them proper like. | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 14:40 - Jan 30 with 5351 views | dg1937 |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 02:54 - Jan 13 by pioneer |
Calvin Symondswas from Bermuda. He played one game at centre forward in a 2-0 loss at Barrow in September 1955. |
Thanks for drawing Calvin Symonds to my notice. The implication is that he only played one game, away to Barrow, but I've got hold of his auto biography and he says 'I was in and out of the first team' (1954/5) and he says he played three games at the start of the 1955/6 season (although these may or may not have been for the first team). He went back to Bermuda in November 1955 after his contract was terminated 'by mutual agreement'. He'd had a couple of operations on his knee and didn't fully recover.
He clearly has fond memories of his time at the club 'I enjoyed every moment of my English experience'.
Can anyone help provide a definitive record of how many appearances he made? | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 15:02 - Jan 30 with 5308 views | robbowood |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 14:40 - Jan 30 by dg1937 |
Thanks for drawing Calvin Symonds to my notice. The implication is that he only played one game, away to Barrow, but I've got hold of his auto biography and he says 'I was in and out of the first team' (1954/5) and he says he played three games at the start of the 1955/6 season (although these may or may not have been for the first team). He went back to Bermuda in November 1955 after his contract was terminated 'by mutual agreement'. He'd had a couple of operations on his knee and didn't fully recover.
He clearly has fond memories of his time at the club 'I enjoyed every moment of my English experience'.
Can anyone help provide a definitive record of how many appearances he made? |
Page 91 Rochdale Who's Who 1939-1973 (by Steven Phillips) includes the following
Roderick Calvin Hilgrove (Cal) Symonds
1954-56
Born Pembroke, Bermuda
29.3.32
Centre Forward
FL Apps/Gls 1/0
Total Apps/Gls 1/0
Career: Key West Rangers
(Bermuda), Dale 10.54 [1/-],
Pembroke Hamilton Club
(Bermuda) 10.55
Cricket for St. Georges, Bermuda (1950-69)
Pembroke Hamilton Club, coach to Bermuda
cricket team 1990s
"...Dale's first back player.
He became only the second Bermudan to become a professional footballer when he signed for Dale and made his debut in a friendly against Bury in November 1954. He played his single FL game at centre forward in a 2-0 defeat at Barrow the following September, but then returned to the Caribbean, where he worked as a taxi driver, rather then be called up for national service in the UK.
Retiring from football through injury, he subsequently concentrated on his cricket. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 16:06 - Jan 30 with 5252 views | R17ALE |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 15:02 - Jan 30 by robbowood |
Page 91 Rochdale Who's Who 1939-1973 (by Steven Phillips) includes the following
Roderick Calvin Hilgrove (Cal) Symonds
1954-56
Born Pembroke, Bermuda
29.3.32
Centre Forward
FL Apps/Gls 1/0
Total Apps/Gls 1/0
Career: Key West Rangers
(Bermuda), Dale 10.54 [1/-],
Pembroke Hamilton Club
(Bermuda) 10.55
Cricket for St. Georges, Bermuda (1950-69)
Pembroke Hamilton Club, coach to Bermuda
cricket team 1990s
"...Dale's first back player.
He became only the second Bermudan to become a professional footballer when he signed for Dale and made his debut in a friendly against Bury in November 1954. He played his single FL game at centre forward in a 2-0 defeat at Barrow the following September, but then returned to the Caribbean, where he worked as a taxi driver, rather then be called up for national service in the UK.
Retiring from football through injury, he subsequently concentrated on his cricket. |
Does the book record how many bury fans were chucked out before the game started? | |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 17:20 - Jan 30 with 5201 views | dg1937 |
Thanks for that, very helpful. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 17:27 - Jan 30 with 5189 views | dg1937 |
PS I meant to congratulate you on a lively forum, I've enjoyed dipping into some of the threads, the debate seems to be more civilised than most I've seen. Good luck for the rest of the season. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 with 3903 views | dg1937 |
Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.
I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.
Cheers and good luck for the season ahead. | | | |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 21:36 - Sep 19 with 3890 views | 442Dale |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 by dg1937 |
Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.
I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.
Cheers and good luck for the season ahead. |
Thanks for the update. Really good story that and one which illustrates what a useful place this is.
Sometimes. |  |
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| Rochdale's first Black player on 21:43 - Sep 19 with 3868 views | boromat |
| Rochdale's first Black player on 21:33 - Sep 19 by dg1937 |
Hi, I raised this topic ages ago and received several very helpful responses - thank you to those who contributed. What started out as a fun exercise has turned into a book 'Football's Black Pioneers', available from all good bookshops as they say. It tells the story of the first black player at each League club.
I recently spoke to Calvin Symonds at his home in Bermuda by skype, he is 88 now but still very much fit and well. He has fond memories of his time with Rochdale and is pleased that some fans remember him. His daughter told me 'he hasn't stopped smiling since he heard about the book.' I know he only played one first team game but he recalls playing in the reserves against Bobby Charlton and other Busby Babes. This was the season before Charlton broke through into the 1st team at United so the story does check out.
Cheers and good luck for the season ahead. |
Great story and brilliant to hear he's well. Sounds like you probably made his year ðŸ‘. | |
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