Sheffield celebrates life of inspirational black footballer Cyrille Regis

Dozens of people attended an event in Sheffield to pay tribute to the life of inspirational footballer Cyrille Regis who fought racism and helped change football.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2019, 18:52 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2019, 19:07 BST
A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre.Pictured are Clive Fairweather(left) and Maron Rankine.A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre.Pictured are Clive Fairweather(left) and Maron Rankine.
A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre.Pictured are Clive Fairweather(left) and Maron Rankine.

Football Unites, Racism Divides and Stand Up To Racism organised the event on Sunday – which was held at the U-Mix Centre, near Bramall Lane – combining the tribute to the former West Bromwich Albion and Coventry striker with an anti-racist event.

The day included three football tournaments for seniors, women and under 18s, as well as talks and exhibitions of what football was like for black players in the 1970s and 1980s and how Cyrille’s courage and determination helped to change not just football but society itself.

Pictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments Womens teams FURD and Nunny's Funky BootiPictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments Womens teams FURD and Nunny's Funky Booti
Pictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments Womens teams FURD and Nunny's Funky Booti
Read More
Video: Sheffield countryside pilgrimage in honour of tragic boxer who died 12 mo...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cyrille was a pioneer for black footballers in the game when he played alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson at the Hawthorns - know as The Three Degrees.

Former Rotherham United Richard Finney, who played against Cyrille during his debut match with West Brom, spoke of Cyrille at the event, describing him as 'strong’ and ‘powerful’ with ‘a great touch’. 

Howard Holmes, of Football Unites, Racism Divides, said : “He was one of the first black players that actually, by his actions, stood up to the racist atmosphere there was at the time.

A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments are team Caribbean Old School.A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments are team Caribbean Old School.
A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured taking part in the Soccer Tournaments are team Caribbean Old School.

“I think he was a very special person and his own fans got behind him and then he helped to change racism in football.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cyrille was born in he then French Guiana in February 1958, he moved to England with his family in 1963. After training as an electrician, he joined West Bromwich Albion from Isthmian League part-timers, Hayes for £5,000 in May 1977.

A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured is organiser Howard HolmesA day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured is organiser Howard Holmes
A day of celebration for the Life of Cyrille Regis was held at The U-Mix Centre. Pictured is organiser Howard Holmes

He was eligible to play for France or England and made his debut for England's under-21 team in 1978.

Cyrille went on to win five caps for England, scored 62 goals in 274 appearances for Coventry and was a crucial part of their FA Cup-winning side in 1987.

He retired from football in October 1996 and died on January 14, 2018 at the age of 59. 

Related topics:SheffieldCoventryEngland