Roly Gregoire, Sunderland's first black player, has spoken out after 46 years about the racism he endured during his career. The former striker quit football in 1980 following a knee injury, but the racial abuse he suffered left him unable to watch the sport for decades.
In a new interview, Gregoire recounted the slurs and hostility he faced, saying the experience was so painful that he turned his back on football entirely. Now, he hopes his story will shed light on the struggles black players faced in the 1970s and encourage conversations about racism in sport.
"I couldn't bear to watch football for many years," Gregoire said. "The abuse was relentless."
Gregoire's revelations come nearly half a century after his debut, offering a long-overdue account of his time at Sunderland. Despite the adversity, he remains proud of his role as a trailblazer and hopes his story inspires future generations.