da poker： The first-ever black man to play for Chelsea speaks to GOAL as the club release a limited edition clothing collection to celebrate his legacy

da bwin： To say Paul Canoville has overcome adversity throughout his life is a grave understatement; Chelsea's first-ever black men's player, he was the target of abhorrent racist abuse from opposition supporters as well as his own from the very first moment he pulled on the blue shirt in 1981, saw his professional career curtailed by a serious knee injury at the age of just 24 and has since battled drug addiction, cancer and homelessness.

But though he self-admittedly only realised it himself later in life, Canoville – adoringly nicknamed 'King Canners' by the Chelsea faithful – is a pioneer and club legend, with his legacy visible in the strides forward English football has taken and the number of black British players gracing the Stamford Bridge turf in 2023.

To mark Black History Month, Chelsea have released a limited edition line in collaboration with London-based fashion designer Nicholas Daley, celebrating Canoville and his significant footprint on the club.

In Daley's unique, signature style, the Tied Together collection features a tracksuit jacket with tartan trim and King Canners crest, and 'Pride of London' scarf – drawing inspiration from the 1983-85 Chelsea home kit that became synonymous with Canoville.

"Fashion has the unique ability to tell powerful stories and connect us with our heritage," says Daley, who – like Canoville – is from a British-Caribbean background.

"I am honoured to pay homage to Paul Canoville through my designs. Canoville's legacy, marked by resilience and pioneering spirit, is a source of inspiration not only for me but for all who embrace this collection. Together, we celebrate diversity, culture, and the enduring impact of individuals who break barriers."

To mark the release of the Tied Together collection, Canoville spoke to GOAL about fashion, culture and progress.

Getty'I had to stand out'

Fashion has always been close to Canoville's heart as he took cues from his dad, who was part of the Windrush generation who arrived in Britain from the Caribbean.

"I've always been into fashion," Canoville beamed. "I think that's following my father back in the 60s when he came over [in] the Windrush. He was always dressing smart and I've kind of continued that. Even when training at Chelsea, I had to stand out as a young lad."

A tricky winger with an eye for a pass and excellent footballing brain, Canoville was signed from non-league Hillingdon Borough in 1981. However, his debut at Crystal Palace was memorable for all the wrong reasons as the 21-year-old was subjected to vile racist abuse from both sets of supporters, with slurs including the N-word and 'golliwog' hurled down from every corner of Selhurst Park.

"Looking at the jacket now – the tartan and the colour – just right away it reminded me of when I made my debut, as bittersweet as it was," he continued. "But it was still a really proud moment for me. It feels really good to be in it, I was quite surprised – I didn't expect it to be like that. Playing for Chelsea in those days, in the 80s."

AdvertisementCOPA90'My culture will never leave me'

The club conveying its ties to black culture through collaborations like Tied Together, at the intersection of fashion and sport, is vitally important in Canoville's eyes after those dark beginnings.

"When I joined the club as a youngster, my team-mates didn't understand where the Caribbean – where my family or my parents – came from.

"People ask you 'go back to your own country', but I was born here. I still have my Caribbean culture – that can never leave me – and I think that's always got to be understood.

"If we can't teach them, it's only that they're going to be ignorant by not taking the information in. For me, culture is very important, for me and my kids that follow me, my family."

Getty'You went through a lot of sh*te'

Despite becoming a club legend and an intrinsic part of Chelsea's history, personally celebrated in Daley's collection, Canoville admits his legacy wasn't immediately clear to him.

"At first it didn't dawn on me," he modestly conceded. "Being the first black player, I didn't see it, I didn't understand it, until I realised 'alright, Paul, yes you went through a lot of sh*te'.

"It was difficult, but it was determination – I wasn't going to give in. The reason why that was, because when my mum gave me the stories when she came over in the Windrush and how difficult it was for her as a young black woman, and my dad, that it was quite easy for them to give up and turn their cheek, but my mum always told me 'Paul, you've got to be patient'.

"As a young black boy, yes, I used to get angry very quickly, but it was the case that I couldn't show that when starting at football. This was the dream.

"You got older, you're a teenager, how are you going to be respected? As difficult as it was, I had to ignore a lot. I wanted to get through, I thought 'if I show them my ignorance, they would have thought 'he can't handle it, not ideal, don't think he could do it''. I couldn't show them that."

'I'm proud to see that at Chelsea'

However, at 61, Canoville now understands that he blazed a trail, and is proud to see a host of black British players such as Reece James, Levi Colwill, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke starring in the Chelsea first team today."Realising now what people saw about it [being the first black men's player] and how they feel; I helped them, I encouraged them, and that's the main thing. It's a great feeling, don't get me wrong, being loved, being remembered at Chelsea is great.

"Being told the history, that they understand now. So when we're seeing these black players, young black players as well coming through now, breaking into the first team, it's great – I'm proud. I am proud to see that at Chelsea."