A black England boss? Not in my lifetime. No way

THE DAMNING VERDICT OF VIV ANDERSON

- BY SIMON MULLOCK Chief Football Writer

VIV ANDERSON was the first black footballer to play for England. He fears he will never see a black England manager in his life.

More than 46 years after Anderson made history by winning the first of his 30 caps, the former Nottingham Forest defender who lifted back-to-back European Cups under Brian Clough feels that some things remain depressingly unchanged.

Now aged 68, Anderson believes that great strides have been made since the days when hate mail was just an occupational hazard - but he insists more can still be done.

"A black England manager?" repeated Anderson incredulously after he had paid tribute to another pioneer at a school in Halifax. "If we do, it won't be in my lifetime. There's absolutely no chance.

"In fact, it's not really worth talking about until we see a few black managers in the Premier League.

"It's over 30 years since I was player-manager at Barnsley. I think Keith Alexander at Lincoln was the only other black manager in the English game.

"One newspaper article said it was the start of a new generation. But nothing has changed. The only English-born black manager in all four divisions is Darren Moore.