The Leeds United shirt worn by football’s first black superstar is to be auctioned
The 1966 football shirt of a man hailed as English football’s first black superstar is expected to fetch thousands of pounds at auction.
The 57-year-old Leeds United shirt was worn by Albert Johanneson, who paved the way for many famous black players in English football today.
Despite the holes and stains, the white long-sleeved shirt could still sell for between £6,500 and £7,500 when it goes up for auction.
That is because the pioneering left winger’s jersey also features 23 signatures of members of the Leeds United squad at the time.
They included Barrie Wright, Jack Charlton, Willie Bell, Paul Reaney, John Giles, Paul Madeley, Terry Cooper, Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter.
The shirt will be sold by Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall, Derbyshire, on Tuesday November 14.
David Wilson-Turner, head of sports memorabilia at Hansons, said: “The shirt was worn by Johanneson in a match but we cannot determine exactly which match it was.
“Nevertheless, interest is strong because this is an exceptional piece of Leeds United memorabilia relating to a ground-breaking player.
“He was considered a brave pioneer in the face of the racism he endured from audiences.
“He had to endure monkey noises and bananas being thrown at him.
“George Best, who played at the same time, said: ‘Albert was from the beginning a man brave enough to play, This is not the case.
‘ He?
‘ “Further praise from former Portugal international Eusebio.
“He said generations of black players should look at Albert Johanneson and thank him for what he achieved.
“He was recommended to Leeds United by a South African schoolteacher and joined the club in April 1961.
“By the 1963-64 season he’d established himself as a powerful attacking force. He has gone down in history as a legend of the game, a true pioneer.
“Sadly, post-football, he was dogged by ill health. He died alone aged only 55. His body lay undiscovered for a week in his flat in Leeds.”
In January 2019 Leeds United and Leeds Civic Trust unveiled a blue plaque commemorating Johanneson, his contribution to football and the city of Leeds.
The following a year a picture of Johanneson was also erected on the side of a building in the Yorkshire city.
