Full name Howard Anthony Gayle Name Howard Gayle Playing position Role Footballer | Position Forward Years Team | |
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Date of birth (1958-05-18) 18 May 1958 (age 57) | ||
Howard Gayle on Racism in Football and turning down a MBE
Howard Anthony Gayle (born 18 May 1958) is an English former footballer who played for Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Halifax Town, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Stoke City.
Contents
- Howard Gayle on Racism in Football and turning down a MBE
- exclusive lfc legend howard gayle speaks to the asian kop
- Liverpool and loan spells
- Birmingham City
- Sunderland
- Dallas Sidekicks
- Stoke City
- Blackburn Rovers
- Halifax Town
- International career
- Career statistics
- Honours
- References
Gayle began his career with Liverpool and made the headlines after becoming the first black player to play for the Anfield side. After loan spells with Fulham and Newcastle United he joined Birmingham City in search of regular first team football. He then played for Sunderland and had a short spell in the United States playing indoor football with the Dallas Sidekicks. He returned to England and played for Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and ended his career with Halifax Town.
exclusive lfc legend howard gayle speaks to the asian kop
Liverpool and loan spells
Gayle was born in Toxteth and brought up in Norris Green. He joined the youth ranks at local side Liverpool in 1974. He signed a professional contract with the club in 1977 becoming the first black player to play for Liverpool which was seen as a 'victory' for the black community in Liverpool as Gayle explains.
"It was constantly in the press that I was the first black player to play for Liverpool. It was a landmark as far as black people were concerned, and I was proud to represent the black community of Liverpool"
Possibly his finest hour for Liverpool was the 61 minutes he played in the 1980–81 European Cup semi-final second leg away at Bayern Munich. He was rewarded with a winner's medal at the end of that season as a non-playing substitute in the final. This led to his autobiography being titled, "61 Minutes In Munich".
After loan spells at Fulham and Newcastle United, Gayle left Liverpool after making just five appearances.
Birmingham City
He joined Birmingham City where he played in the 1982–83 season scoring once against West Ham. He then hit 10 in 45 during the 1983–84 campaign.
Sunderland
Gayle then signed for Len Ashurst's Sunderland. He became a popular player playing in two seasons before moving overseas.
Dallas Sidekicks
Gayle went to play for Dallas Sidekicks in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Stoke City
He returned to England in April 1987 to play for Stoke City playing six matches at the end of the 1986–87 season scoring twice in a 3–2 defeat against Bradford City.
Blackburn Rovers
He then spent five years at Blackburn Rovers, signing for them in 1987 and being a regular striker in their quest for top flight football. However, by the time Blackburn were promoted in 1992 (to the newly created Premier League), Gayle had been left behind in the pecking order by expensively signed new players like Mike Newell and David Speedie, and with the arrival of national record signing Alan Shearer that summer, it was clear that Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish felt that Gayle was surplus to requirements at Ewood Park.
Halifax Town
Gayle joined Halifax Town in the newly renamed Division Three but managed just five league appearances as they were relegated to the Football Conference. After leaving Halifax he had a brief trial at Carlisle United, before retiring from football.
International career
As an overage player, he helped England win the 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, in which he scored a goal in the final against Spain.
Career statistics
Honours
In August 2016, it was reported that Gayle had turned down a nomination for an MBE for his work with "Show Racism the Red Card", saying it would be "a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives, or who have suffered as a result of Empire."