Albert Johanneson

Albert Louis Johanneson (13 March 1940 – 28 September 1995) was one of the first high-profile black men, of any nationality, to play top-flight football in England. A native of South Africa, Johanneson is recognised as being the first person of African heritage to play in the FA Cup final.

Career

Johanneson, a skilful and swift left winger, was recommended to Leeds United by a South African schoolteacher and joined the club in April 1961. He stayed there for nine years working diligently at his game, and by the 1963–64 season had established himself as a powerful attacking force providing 13 league goals, which assisted in Leeds' promotion from the Second Division.

In 1965, Johanneson earned his berth in the Leeds team at the Football Association Challenge Cup (F.A Cup) Final played at Wembley Stadium. While Leeds lost the match to Liverpool, and Johanneson regrettably did not play his best, he made history by becoming the first black person to feature in the final of the world-renowned football competition.