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The trials of Chelsea's first black player

Paul Canoville was racially abused by his own fans but he paved the way for future black players.

Back in the 1980s, there were very few professional black footballers in England. Paul Canoville was the first to play for Chelsea. He was over the moon when he was signed, but on his debut he was booed and racially abused by his fans. Paul tells Jo Fidgen how he fought back and how his career paved the way for many other black players.

Image: Paul Canoville playing for Chelsea
Credit: Adrian Murrell/Getty Images

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