Steve Stacey (footballer)
English footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stephen Darrow Stacey (born 27 August 1944)[1] is an English former footballer who played as a full back in the Football League with Bristol City, Wrexham, Ipswich Town and Exeter City.[2][3] He was the first footballer of African American heritage to play professionally in the United Kingdom.[4][5] Stacey was the first Black player to play in the Football League for three of his clubs: Charlton Athletic (debut 7 February 1970); Ipswich Town (debut, 14 September 1968); and Exeter City (debut 14 August 1971).[6]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Darrow Stacey | ||
| Date of birth | 27 August 1944 | ||
| Place of birth | Bristol, England | ||
| Position | Full back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1961–1966 | Bristol City | 0 | (0) |
| 1966–1969 | Wrexham | 105 | (6) |
| 1969–1970 | Ipswich Town | 3 | (0) |
| 1969 | → Chester (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1970 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 1 | (1) |
| 1970–1971 | Bristol City | 9 | (0) |
| 1971–1973 | Exeter City | 59 | (0) |
| 1973–1974 | Bath City | ||
| 1974–19?? | Floreat Athena | ||
| Rockingham City | |||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Personal life
Stacey is from a biracial background. He was brought up in Bristol by his mother, a white Englishwoman, after his father (who was a black American G.I.) returned home to the US after World War II.[5]
In 1974, he emigrated to Western Australia, where he spent four seasons in the first division with Floreat Athena and Rockingham City.[7]
He was appointed by the Western Australian State Government to chair a committee to establish 'The Future Direction of Football in Western Australia.'
He has written a book 'The Colour of Football' exploring his life as the first African American to play professional football in the UK.
