Viv Anderson
The trailblazing right-back who led Forest to European glory and broke the colour barrier for England.
via Wikipedia: Viv Anderson · see source
Viv Anderson is an English former professional footballer who played as a right-back, best known for his ten-year stint with Nottingham Forest. With Forest, he won the First Division title in 1978, as well as the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. In 1978, he became the first black footballer to play for England's senior men's national team. He was part of the Forest side that won promotion to the First Division in 1977, winning the title, along with the League Cup, a year later.
- Role
- Right-Back
- Nationality
- English
- Key Achievement
- First Black player to play for England
- Major Honours
- Two European Cup wins (1979, 1980)
- Era
- Late 1970s and early 1980s
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Anderson was born in Clifton, Nottingham, to Jamaican parents Audley and Myrtle. Despite racial tensions at the time, he has said his childhood was relatively untroubled by discrimination, crediting his parents for protecting him. He spent a year as a schoolboy with Manchester United before being released, then returned to Nottingham where he sat and passed three CSEs. He worked for three weeks as a silkscreen printer, describing it as 'a glorified tea boy really. I'd get the tea, and get the sandwiches at lunch time. I was just a dogsbody.' He broke into the Nottingham Forest team during 1974 and became a regular after the arrival of Brian Clough in January 1975. Anderson was one of the first black players to represent top English clubs and regularly suffered racial abuse from fans of rival teams, being pelted with bananas and targeted with racist chants.
In Their Own Story
Anderson was part of the Forest team that retained the League Cup (though he missed the final through injury) and then clinched the European Cup in 1979 with victory over Malmö. He picked up his second European Cup winners' medal when they retained the trophy with victory over Hamburger SV in Madrid. Forest did reach a third successive League Cup final that year, but lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 1980 European Cup win was to prove to be their last trophy for nine years. Anderson made his debut for England in November 1978, for a friendly against Czechoslovakia, becoming the third non-white footballer to represent the men's senior England team after Paul Reaney and Frank Soo. Coach Ron Greenwood was insistent that no political issue was at stake, despite the ever-rising number of young black stars in the game.
Reader's Guide
Anderson's playing style as a right-back was key to Forest's success. He was part of the side that won promotion to the First Division in 1977, then won the First Division title and the League Cup in 1978. He won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, and also won the League Cup again in 1979 (though injured for the final). He scored 15 goals in his three seasons at Arsenal, a spell that saw him make 150 appearances for the club. At Manchester United, he was Alex Ferguson's first signing, becoming a significant part of Ferguson's rebuilding plans. He helped Sheffield Wednesday gain promotion from the Second Division in 1991. Anderson's international career saw him earn 30 caps, scoring two goals, and he was selected in the England squad for four major tournaments from 1980 to 1988.
Did You Know?
- Anderson was born in Clifton, Nottingham, on 29 July 1956.
- He worked for three weeks as a silkscreen printer, describing himself as 'a glorified tea boy'.
- He became the first black footballer to play for England's senior men's national team in 1978.
- Anderson was signed by Ron Atkinson in 1984 for a tribunal-agreed £250,000 fee, two years before Alex Ferguson became Manchester United manager.
- He scored his first international goal in an 8–0 victory over Turkey in a 1986 World Cup qualifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Viv Anderson?
Viv Anderson was an English professional footballer who played as a right-back, spending a decade with Nottingham Forest during their most successful era. He is celebrated for his defensive skills and leadership on the pitch.
What are Viv Anderson's key achievements?
He helped Nottingham Forest win the First Division title in 1978 and secured back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980. Additionally, he was a crucial member of the squad that earned promotion to the top flight in 1977.
Why is Viv Anderson historically significant?
In 1978, Anderson made history by becoming the first black player to represent the England senior men's national team. This groundbreaking moment broke the colour barrier for English football and paved the way for future generations of players.
What position did Viv Anderson play?
He operated primarily as a right-back, known for his reliability and ability to support both defense and attack during Forest's dominant years in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
How does Viv Anderson's story end with Nottingham Forest?
After ten transformative years at the club where he won major domestic and European honors, his tenure concluded as a legendary figure in the club's history. His legacy remains defined by breaking barriers and delivering continental glory to Nottingham.
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