The first Black South African soccer tourists

30Jun10

With the World Cup taking place in South Africa at present, it seems appropriate to take a look at the very first South African team to tour in Europe. This trailblazing group of footballers was not white, as might be expected, but black. The group of 16 players arrived at Southampton on 2 September 1899 […]

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Tags: black South African football, football history, Joseph Twayi, South African football

England v USA, 1950

12Jun10

Today’s edition of The Guardian newspaper includes an ‘unofficial matchday programme’ for today’s World Cup encounter. Unfortunately the feature on page 14 of this is accompanied by a picture which does not show the goal scored by Joe Gaetjens, but an attempt that went over the bar. This what the US soccer historian Colin Jose has […]

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Tags: 1950, Bert Williams, England v USA, Joe Gaetjens, World Cup

Issue 25

04Jun10

Issue 25 of Soccer History is now available. Contents include articles on the South African tour of 1899-1900 (the ‘Kaffirs’), England’s defeat by USA in the 1950 World Cup, Scottish North-Eastern League 1941-42 (includes appearances and goals for each club), Football in Northern Ireland in World War 2, Further notes on I’m forever blowing bubbles, […]

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Tags: football in World War Two, history black south african football, I'm forever blowing bubbles, Soccer History, works football, World Cup