Football's Pioneers: Viv Anderson
Born to Jamaican parents in 1956, Anderson joined hometown club Nottingham Forest in 1974. In his 10 years at the club, Forest rose from being a mediocre Second Division club to winning the First Division, two European Cups and two League Cups.
Anderson became the first black player to play for England in November 1978. He was, however, unable to retain a regular spot in the side until his move to Arsenal where, during three seasons from 1984, he gained the majority of his thirty England caps. In his aptly named autobiography, First Among Unequals, he claims that club was ‘all class from top to bottom’.
His time at Arsenal saw the club develop from underachieving in the First Division to enjoying a memorable victory over Liverpool in the 1987 League Cup Final. Much of Arsenal’s upturn in fortunes at this time can be attributed to George Graham’s arrival in the summer of 1986. The side was built upon a strong defence whose training involved being connected with rope to ensure they learned to work together. At this time, Anderson provided much inspiration to the young Tony Adams.
Anderson’s time at Manchester United also coincided with a period of change. Sir Alex Ferguson’s first signing for the club, Anderson was brought in for his experience. Here too, Anderson was to be a mentor as he was often sought out by an emerging group of younger players for advice.
When Anderson was appointed manager at Barnsley, he took with him as his assistant Danny Wilson who had been his team-mate at Sheffield Wednesday, the club Anderson had joined after Manchester United. Anderson encouraged a pleasing style of football. Barnsley fans started to sing, ‘It’s just like watching Brazil'. When Bryan Robson’s assistant at Middlesbrough, Anderson helped create excitement by playing a role in bringing players such as Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson to the club.
Awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to football, a common theme of Anderson’s career was the positive impact he had on each club he went to by helping bring success, encouraging stylish play or being an inspiration to younger players.