Trenton Wiggan remembers the day his eyes were opened as former Sheffield United striker returns to Bramall Lane

The former striker was born in Jamaica, but moved to Sheffield as a young boy and was snapped up by United's youth system, making his first-team debut as a 16-year-old.

He experienced both the ups and the downs of being a Blade, playing 26 times in the infamous 1980/81 season when United were relegated to the fourth division and adding 14 more appearances to his CV the following campaign when the Division Four title found its way into the Bramall Lane trophy cabinet.

October is Black History Month, and Wiggan is back at a stadium which has changed almost beyond all recognition since he played on its turf.

"So many memories," he says as he looks back at the Kop. But not all are good.

"The first incident I recall was very similar to what happened to John Barnes," said Wiggan.

"Someone threw a banana onto the pitch. I wanted to get to it and eat it, but a steward beat me to it and did the same!

"I won't name the other club.

"I wasn't mature enough to really know what was going on.

"That's when it hit me what was happening, and it raised my own awareness."

Wiggan is believed to be only the third black footballer to have represented United, after Arthur Wharton and Ian Benjamin. Many have followed since, including crowd favourites like Tony Agana and Brian Deane.

But Wiggan knows that more needs to be done. Current Blades striker David McGoldrick received a disgusting racist message on Instagram last season, and is by no means the only high-profile sports star to have been targeted.

"I think that there has been change, but hopefully one day we don't have to have the positive action programmes because there is absolute equality for everyone," Wiggan added.

"My mate Rob Perry, who is a huge United fan, and I were talking about what was happening in the world recently, and the incidences where black people are being treated as second class citizens.

"I just think that now is the time for the wider community to respond.

"In Jamaica there is a saying - each one, teach one - and if we can continue to do that in terms of racism - eventually - it will be eradicated."

Wiggan made his way through the Sheffield, South Yorkshire and England schoolboys set-up, and made his first-team debut for United against Doncaster Rovers in 1979 before he had even signed a professional contract at Bramall Lane.

Now 58, Wiggan remembers a delegation from United arriving at his house to get his signature on schoolboy forms.

"My mother was all about education, but overnight she became my agent when they were there talking to me!

"The experience was amazing. I was a young lad from Pitsmoor and I was playing in a professional setting.

"Derek Dooley never missed an opportunity to pull my leg about having to excel since he was also from Pitsmoor!”

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of Blades coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details HERE. Your support is much appreciated. Chris Holt, Football Editor