Oshor Williams is the Assistant Director of Education at the PFA and the incumbent President of the General Federation of Trade Unions.
Oshor is a County legend and we are proud to have him write an exclusive column in the Matchday Programme. Oshor has also played for several teams, including Manchester United, Southampton, and Preston North End.
At Preston North End, he became their Community Development Officer under a pilot scheme pioneered by the PFA. Oshor also taught Black History at Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT) and played during an era where black players were rare, and hooliganism and prejudice were rife.
Here, Oshor shares his experiences of being a black footballer in the ’70s and ’80s, and why he thinks it’s important for everyone to know Black History.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
To me, Black History Month is a time to acknowledge those who have helped to progress the rights and status of black people across all aspects of society. It’s also an opportunity to inform and educate ourselves about the positive impact of black culture and heritage on modern-day Britain. Unless we know where we’re from and who we are, it’s hard to know where we’re going and who we want to be.
Can you sum up just how important Black History Month is in both society and football?
From its origins in America, Black History Month has developed a particular resonance here in the UK. That’s because in the eyes of many British people black history begins in the 50’s with the arrival of the Windrush. Whilst that was a significant event, the Edgeley Faithful know only too well that black pioneers such as Arthur Wharton were having an influence on British sport and society long before that time. So many of those contributions and achievements remained ‘hidden histories’ until Black History Month stimulated a new consciousness and interest in these people and events. This is not only important for those of black heritage, but it’s also a great opportunity for us all to reflect on Britain’s development as a diverse nation in a global society.
Who were your black role models when you were growing up?
They were all sporting icons, probably because their achievements were so visible and easy for a youngster like me to relate to. Muhammad Ali was a huge influence as was Pele. It’s no coincidence that they were both the best in their chosen field which made them two of the most recognisable black men on the planet. Domestically Clyde Best the former West Ham United legend made a big impression on me. I was humbled to meet him and his daughter Kimberley at the recent PFA awards ceremony in Manchester and recall watching grainy black and white footage of Clyde on Match of the Day back in the early 70s. It was inspirational to see this tall powerful figure featuring regularly in the Hammers team at a time when there were few black players in the league and racial abuse was rife in the game. He looked like a film star and led the West Ham front line with great courage and skill for over a seven-year period. In many ways, Clyde paved the way for some of my other footballing heroes like Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and my former PFA colleague Brendon Batson who all came to prominence at West Brom just as I began my football journey.
Osh, what was it like being one of the only black players on a team when you first started out?
During my formative years as a schoolboy, it was the norm for me to be the only black player in the team. The North East wasn’t a hotbed of diversity back in the 60’s so apart from my immediate family I saw few people of colour in my day-to-day life. I was one of only two black pupils in an all-boys grammar school of 600. When I entered elite football with Middlesbrough, apart from myself and a talented midfielder called Mike Taylor, there were no other black players at the club. Neither of us made it there and Mike sadly drifted out of the game whereas I was fortunate enough to get other opportunities. I encountered some racial abuse when I played junior football often from opposing players, but there was little you could do about it in those days. Referees offered no protection, so you had to just look after yourself. As I moved through the senior ranks, abuse was more likely to come from the terraces than on the pitch. It was tough but I always felt supported by my teammates and each season saw more black players coming to prominence in every tier of the game.
What would you say is the best way of getting more black managers into the game?
There are some positive initiatives like the Professional Player to Coach Scheme funded jointly by the Premier League, The PFA and the EFL. This aims to increase the number of black, Asian and mixed heritage players (male and female) transitioning into full-time coaching positions. But for real change to occur, there needs to be a review of existing recruitment in football to bring more transparency into the process. We also need to push for greater diversity across all areas of football governance including club boardrooms where decisions are made. Over 40%of players in the Premier League and upwards of 34% in the EFL are black yet across all 92 clubs there are now only two black managers, Nuno Espírito Santo and Darren Moore. It feels like black representation at management level has hit a low water mark with fewer in position now than there were several years ago.
Arthur Wharton’s legacy has been restored in recent years. How do you look back at his achievements over the course of his career?
When I signed for County in 1979, I thought I might be the first black player to represent the club. Then in the 90’s I read about this amazing individual who preceded me, playing for Stockport County at the turn of the century. Before he arrived at County, he represented another of my former clubs Preston North End enjoying two years with the most successful club of its era. He began his career at Darlington before being snapped up by PNE and although I went to school in Darlington and played for Darlington Boys, I knew nothing of this pioneering black legend whose path I trod nearly 80 years later! It was a special privilege for me to meet and present his granddaughter Dorothy Rooney with Arthur’s SCAN certificate here at Edgeley Park last year and Black History Month gives us a chance to revisit his inspirational story.
How has the game changed in terms of race?
In terms of representation on the pitch, English football is unrecognisable from the game I entered 50 years ago as a sixteen-year-old. It is rich with diversity which has increased the talent pool on the pitch and elevatedthe domestic game to its current global status. When England reached the final of the Euros in July, onenewspaper acknowledged the sense of unity within an England team which it described as both ‘multiracial and distinctively English’. We must strive for this kind of change beyond the pitch and the terraces by removing the glass ceiling to progress for this and future generations of black talent.
What is it like to work for an organisation as diverse as the PFA?
It’s great to be part of an organisation which truly reflects the demographic of the people it serves. When I joined the organisation in 1996 the Deputy Chief Executive was Brendon Batson who I’ve already namechecked in my list of black role models. Gordon Taylor recognised Brendon as the best person to work alongside him in developing the union. Seeing him and former West Ham star Bobby Barnes assume senior roles encouraged me to apply for a job at the PFA and I’ve been there for over 20 years. Building on the work of Gordon and Brendon our current CEO Maheta Molango has expanded the workforce to meet the ever-growing needs of our members. In doing so he has recruited from the finest and widest talent pool available which is why it is such a diverse and exciting organisation to work for.
How do you feel it has changed for the current generation of players?
Do you think we’ve made progress since the ‘70s and ‘80s, or has it just shifted to social media? Though things change, still they remain the same! There has been undoubted progress in many areas of the game since the 70s and 80s in terms of the depth and breadth of diversity on the pitch. This has had an enriching effect on the game and enabled us to enjoy the talents of players from all over the world. However, little has changed in the movement of black players into areas of management, governance or leadership. As far as racism is concerned, protocols and practices introduced to prevent abuse in stadia has been effective to a point. But we have seen a sinister shift in racial abuse from the physical world to the world of social media where it still prevails, in most cases unpoliced and unpunished.
