Black History Month is observed throughout October and is dedicated to remembering significant individuals who have created change and inspired others.
In Merseyside, there have been thousands of people from black heritage who have created change across the region and beyond. Here, MerseySportLive’s Tom Atkinson takes a look at the nine of the most influential black athletes to hail from Merseyside.
9. Anyika Onuora
Anyika Onoura is a medal winner at numerous athletics championship events and retired as a 400m sprinter in 2019. She has been praised for her bravery and strength after recently revealing how she was racially and sexually abused while in Team GB, speaking out and raising awareness. Her book “My Hidden Race”, was published this year and received massive praise from everyone in the sporting industry.
8. Natasha Jonas
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Natasha Jonas is one of the best female boxers in the industry. As the current WBC female super-welterweight champion, Jonas is delivering at the highest level. She won bronze at the European Championships in 2011 and silver in 2014. In 2012, Jonas starred in a documentary called Knockout Scousers, which followed her journey for Olympic qualification. Narrating the programme, she spoke of her life as a boxer, how she deals with racism, and why it’s important to encourage more BAME women to take up boxing.
7. John Conteh
Raised in Kirkby, John Conteh boxed professionally for nine years from 1971-1980. He was inspired by his father to take up boxing and instantly displayed signs of greatness. At six foot tall and with a reach of 76 inches, the Liverpudlian fought 39 times, winning 34, losing four and drawing one. Notably, he won the WBC Light heavyweight crown in 1974, beating Jorge Ahumada on points. Some may say that Conteh’s impressive career paved the way for future fighters in Liverpool and was a catalyst for the vast array of combat sports in the region.
6. Nikita Parris
Having played for at least four top clubs, as well as winning the European Championships this year with England, Nikita Parris is considered one of the best female footballers in the world. The 28-year-old, who was born and raised in Toxteth, Liverpool, began her career at Everton in 2010 at the age of 16, although a red at heart. She held the record for the most goals in WSL history from 2018-2020 and was the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2019. Parris is a supporter of the ‘Inspiring Positive Change’ strategy and is a leading figure in striving to increase the amount of BAME women playing football.
5. John Barnes
Although born in Kingston, Jamaica, John Barnes has repeatedly been called an honorary scouser and has been treated as a hero in the city of Liverpool since the 1980’s. Barnes signed for Liverpool in 1987 and wore the red strip for 10 years and also represented England.
During his career the midfielder suffered racial abuse and discrimination from fans and media alike, but, through his outspoken courageous personality and talent on the pitch, the ‘voice of reason on race’ stood up for BAME players and became an icon for minorities across the world. The former Red attends games regularly and continues to speak out on racism through punditry, guest appearances and his social media presence.
4. Cliff Marshall
Cliff Marshall, who grew up in the Smithdown Road area of Liverpool, became the first BAME player to play for Everton FC in 1973. Signing for the Toffees at the age of 14, Marshall broke social barriers to be a black footballer playing for a well-renowned Division One team, which at that time was a rare sight. Marshall passed away in November 2021, however, his legacy and what he did for young people around Merseyside will never be forgotten.
3. Katrina Johnson-Thompson
At 29-years old, the heptathlete has competed at the Olympics, the European Championships and, most recently, the Commonwealth Games. The former world champion has been competing professionally since 2012, where she represented Team GB at the London Olympics. Since then, she has proceeded to break the British record of 6,981 points which as a result places her at number six on the all-time heptathlon list.
In conjunction with her sporting success, Johnson-Thompson has actively spoken out against racism throughout her career. From interviews with Vogue on battling discrimination, to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement on social media and at world events, the Liverpool-born athlete is an inspiration to the black community.
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold
At just 24-years-old Trent Alexander-Arnold has already appeared in three Champions League finals, won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, and won various individual awards.
To the Liverpool fans, The scouser in our team has shown to all young aspiring footballers of any race or nationality, that through hard work and determination you can live your dream. The right-back, who has endured racist remarks on social media and while playing, is an active spokesman for the Black Lives Matter movement and alongside club captain, Jordan Henderson, leads the campaign in Merseyside.
1. Howard Gayle
Howard Gayle was born in 1959 in Toxteth, Liverpool. The local lad grew up playing football and signed with Liverpool at the age of 19 in 1978, one year after the Reds first European Cup win.
After a couple years of learning the Liverpool way and training with the cream of the crop, he cemented his name in history during the second leg of the 1981 European Cup Semi-final against Bayern Munich. What is called in Gayle’s autobiography, “61 minutes in Munich”, the youngster dazzled the Munich defence and helped Bob Paisley secure his team a place in the final, which they went on to win.
The appearance from Gayle not only sparked his career, but inspired thousands of people across Merseyside and the country, representing the black community on the grandest stage of them all. Today, the ex-winger is part of the Kick It Out campaign and continues to inspire the black community.
