Have you ever wondered who the first African-American to play professional football in the UK was? Look no further than Bristol’s own Steve Stacey.
As we embrace the 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” we celebrate the “generations of brilliance” that have shaped our city. Steve’s journey from the local streets of Horfield to professional football is a monumental story of identity, resilience, and pioneering history that every Bristolian should know.
From Horfield to the Pitch: A Story of Resilience
Born in Southmead Hospital in August 1944, Steve’s beginnings were deeply intertwined with the complexities of the Second World War. His mother, Evelyn Stacey, was a white Bristolian, and his father, Clarence Lee Sims, was a Black American GI based at the barracks at Muller’s Orphanage.
They met at the Royal Oak pub in Horfield, but because the American military strictly forbade mixed-race marriages, Clarence was forced to return to Mississippi alone after the war.
Growing up in post-war Bristol, kicking a football around the gaslit streets of Horfield, Steve navigated a society where he was often labelled with discriminatory terms like “half-caste”—experiences that would lay the foundation for a lifelong journey of self-discovery.
Making History at Bristol City FC
Steve’s brilliance on the pitch cemented his legacy in British sporting history. In 1961, he signed for Bristol City Football Club, officially becoming the very first African-American to play professional football in the United Kingdom. His achievements broke significant barriers, opening the door for future generations of Black players.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Steve has been a powerful voice in addressing racial inequalities, noting that racism on the football pitch is often a stark reflection of wider societal problems.
Today, his trailblazing journey is taught in local schools, inspiring Bristol’s youth to challenge discrimination and champion equality.
“We Proclaim It!” – Reclaiming Identity and Roots
Steve never allowed outdated or discriminatory labels to define him. Embodying the “We Proclaim It!” spirit of controlling his own narrative, he actively sought out his true heritage. Decades later, after emigrating to Australia with his family in 1974, he successfully tracked down his father, Clarence, speaking to him for the very first time in 1983. Taking his search even further, he eventually traced his deeper ancestral roots to Guinea-Bissau. By sharing these profoundly personal experiences in his autobiography, The Colour of Football, Steve boldly reclaimed his story, challenging stereotypes and encouraging a deeper understanding of what it means to be Black and Bristolian.
Want to learn more?
Don’t miss the chance to explore this incredible Bristol story. Read Steve Stacey’s acclaimed autobiography, The Colour of Football, or dive into the educational films and resources created by Local Learning and 8th Sense Media, featuring his inspiring seminar at the M Shed.
“When I heard your voice the other day I was the happiest man alive… I want you to understand that I know and understand too about the war, love and emotion and being black or white, and that I want to know who my father is.”
