Newcastle United FC’s First 11 Black Players
Following our successful pilot, we are back with the First 11 Black Players project, with our next exhibition ready for the public!
This Saturday, SRtRC and Wor Flags will pay tribute to Newcastle United Football Club’s First 11 Black players during the Newcastle vs. Bournemouth fixture. Flags will be displayed in the stands, with the pop-up exhibition displayed in the Milburn Stand.
What does it mean to be one of the first for Newcastle United?
This project highlights the achievements of the first eleven footballers of Black heritage to represent the club at senior level in English football – from the early trailblazers who broke barriers to the icons who followed.
The exhibition shares a simple message, diversity is the backbone of our successes – in football and in society.
For players like Shaka Hislop, being one of the “first” meant showing incredible resilience in the face of racism and using their platform to change the game for future generations.
Listen to Shaka Hislop’s heartfelt message after finding out he features within NUFC’s First 11:
A special thanks to our funders: the Football Supporters Association (FSA), Newcastle United Supporters Trust, the Professional Football Association (PFA), the Football Association (FA), and Newcastle City Council for sponsoring the exhibition.
A significant shoutout to Newcastle United Football Club, Richard Flash, for conducting the research, and Wor Flags for supporting this important heritage project.
Newcastle fans – come find us on Saturday and see what all the hype is about!
Check out NUFC’s First 11 Black Players lineup:
Want to see which clubs featured in the pilot?
Check out the links below:
- Sunderland AFC
- Middlesbrough FC
- Lionesses
- Derby County FC
- Brentford FC
- Liverpool FC
- Queens Park Rangers
- Arsenal FC
In conversation with the First 11 Black players podcast (available on our YouTube Channel):