Football's Pioneers: Lindy Delapenha

Affectionately known as 'Lindy', he was the first Jamaican to play top-flight football in England, the first black player to appear in a First Division championship-winning team, and the first black footballer to feature for a number of English clubs, including Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.

Delapenha was born in Kingston, Jamaica and educated at the prestigious Munro College. His athletic ability was soon spotted and the school's sports master urged Lindy to try his luck in English football.

Arriving in the UK in November 1945, Delapenha had an unsuccessful trial with Arsenal, before serving in the British army and being stationed in Egypt for the next two years. While there, Delapenha was spotted by a scout who wrote him a letter of recommendation, suggesting he visit Chelsea or Portsmouth on his return to England.

In 1948, Delapenha had a trial with Portsmouth. The manager, Bob Jackson, was so impressed that he signed him at half-time. It was the start of a two-year spell on the south coast that coincided with the most successful seasons in Pompey's history.

They won back-to-back First Division titles and were, at that time, according to Lindy, 'the best team in the world'. Delapenha struggled to break into the side and made only eight appearances for Pompey, scoring one goal. In April 1950, he moved to Middlesbrough in search of first team football. 

Delapenha blossomed at Ayresome Park. Although he could play across the frontline, Lindy switched to outside right in order to secure a place in the starting XI and was the club's top scorer in three of his first five seasons.

Later, Delapenha would go on to form a formidable partnership – and lasting friendship – with Brian Clough. In eight years at Middlesbrough, Lindy made 260 appearances and scored 90 goals.

Spells followed with Mansfield Town, Hereford United and Burton Albion, where he won the Southern Football League Cup in 1964. When Lindy retired from professional football, he returned to Jamaica, embarking on a highly successful career as a journalist and commentator.  

Looking back at his time in English football, Lindy spoke of the racism he faced from opposition players and fans. While the abuse 'happened a lot', he never felt it was as severe as that faced by black players in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Lindy Delapenha died in 2017 aged 89, rightly remembered as one of the greatest-ever Jamaican footballers.