Mural for Liverpool FC's first black player Howard Gayle unveiled

Written by Jenny Coleman, a reporter for BBC North West

The painting can be found on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth, Liverpool.

A new painting of Howard Gayle, the first black player for Liverpool Football Club, has been revealed in the city.

The man, aged 66, was born in Toxteth and joined the club as a professional player in 1977.

He became an inspiration to others after his exceptional performance for the Reds in a European Cup semi-final match against Bayern Munich in 1981, as well as because of his commitment to activism.

Mr. Gayle expressed his wish that the mural, located on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth, would highlight the sense of togetherness within the community.

"There is a large variety of cultures represented here, more so than anywhere else in the North West, and we all get along well," he commented.

Many individuals within the community have stories that are not yet shared, but their contributions make it a safe and welcoming place to live. This sense of security and safety is thanks to the hard work of these unsung community members.

There are a lot of activities happening in this area and the residents are closely connected, but outsiders may not fully understand or appreciate it.

Playing for the team he grew up supporting was a wonderful experience for Howard Gayle and his loved ones.

Mr Gayle was the baby of the family, with three older siblings. His father moved to the area from Sierra Leone after serving in World War Two, where he met and married his wife from Ghana in Liverpool.

Appearing in the second match of the 1981 European Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich, Mr Gayle then played for teams such as Birmingham City, Sunderland, Stoke City, and Blackburn Rovers.

He mentioned that having the chance to play for the team he loved as a child was a wonderful experience for him and his family.

"It was fantastic, especially when I returned home and witnessed the excitement and joy it had brought to the people in our vicinity, our neighborhood."

"Finally, after a long period of time, the community was receiving acknowledgment for something good."

During his time as a player, he experienced racism and has now become a strong advocate working to eliminate racism from the sport.

"I have always been very vocal when I see things that are not right or fair. It's just a natural quality that comes with being from Liverpool," he explained.

We are ready to confront injustices and obstacles that were designed to help us but ultimately hold us back.

We have experienced unfair treatment for over a millennium, it is not a recent issue that just appeared.

Howard Gayle was the youngest of four brothers and sisters. His father came to the area from Sierra Leone after World War Two.

The mural is the next piece in a set of artworks requested by the community organization Mandela8 and is created by resident artist John Culshaw.

Sonia Bassey, chair of Mandela8, praised the mural as a collaboration with Riverside Foundation. She described it as depicting a person who has made history and now leverages their influence to assist others.

"It's crucial to us that Howard is acknowledged as a positive influence in this community," she stated.

He hails from a family with a history of activists in the community, and he has made significant efforts to combat racism in the city.

He has worked extensively with youth to shift their perspectives, ensuring they feel empowered and competent to strive for success. This is a crucial focus for us in our community.

We are inspired by Howard's example, not necessarily in football, but in the way he has been a champion for activism in our city for a long time.

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