Derby County’s First 11 Black Players Exhibition

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is proud to continue the rollout of our pioneering First 11 Black Players project, this time turning the spotlight to the rich heritage of Derby County Football Club.

Last year, SRtRC launched the pilot of this vital heritage scheme, made possible thanks to funding from the PFA, the FA, and the EFL. The project, which sees rigorous research conducted by Richard Flash with the support of club historians, aims to uncover and celebrate the pioneering Black footballers who broke barriers at their respective clubs.

Following successful exhibitions for Middlesbrough FC and Queens Park Rangers FC, we were delighted to unveil the exhibition focusing on Derby County’s First 11, during the EFL Week of Action in 2025.

Take a look at how the launch event went, in conjunction with Derby County Community Trust.

The research into the Rams’ history has revealed a particularly deep-rooted legacy, identifying the club’s first Black player dating all the way back to the 1920s.

Derby County’s exhibition serves as another powerful reminder that Black history in the UK is not confined to a single month – it is a thread that runs through the very fabric of our national sport, spanning decades. Highlighting a player from the 1920s demonstrates just how long Black players have been making an impact in English football, often against the backdrop of immense social adversity.

Check out who their First 11 Black Players were by clicking the link: Derby County’s First 11 Black Players

A Special Thanks to the EFL

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the EFL. Their specific contribution to the funding was instrumental in bringing these stories to life. Thanks to their support, we have been able to expand this pilot project, ensuring that the history of Black players at clubs like Derby County, Middlesbrough and QPR is properly researched, celebrated and displayed for future generations.