Back to the Arsenal Newsfeed

Three Lions pioneer sells shirt but retains pride

In 1978 Viv Anderson became the first black footballer to win a full England cap. With his shirt from that match now set to fetch thousands at auction, he reflects on a career that saw him triumph on some of the biggest stages at a time when terrace racism left deep scars on the game and some of those who played it.

Stained with mud and yellowed from age, its significance may be hard to spot at first.

Complete with Three Lions crest, it is the England jersey worn on a cold November night when 90,000 fans watched full-back Anderson stride out at Wembley against Czechoslovakia and into the history books.