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Post by tommydark on Jun 23, 2024 12:32:21 GMT
Ricky Heppolette,think I'm right in saying the first player of colour to play for the o's in 1972.
One of the best midfielders outside division one(premier) at the time.
Would've played top flight but for bigotry.
Never forget the man utd fans dreadful jeering of him when we played them.
Your memories of him.
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Post by redshank on Jun 23, 2024 13:12:39 GMT
Excellent player,the sad sight of Ricky dropping to his knees after the team gave their all in the 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa,and thus failing to hit the top league.
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Post by dennisrofe on Jun 23, 2024 13:21:02 GMT
Ricky Heppolette,think I'm right in saying the first player of colour to play for the o's in 1972. One of the best midfielders outside division one(premier) at the time. Would've played top flight but for bigotry. Never forget the man utd fans dreadful jeering of him when we played them. Your memories of him. Loved Ricky, my dad also loved watching him play especially when he used go on those long mazy dribble past two or three players. I recall he used to come in for some rough treatment given out to him by some teams who could not handle his skillful playing, thus he took too many injuries. Here is a lovely article I just found.....................
Ricky Heppolette would love to see more Asian players follow in his footsteps
The India-born midfielder discussed his parents support and the racism he experienced in the 70s.
By George Sessions, PA
Thu 5 Aug 2021 at 12:09
Trailblazer Ricky Heppolette has reflected on the crucial role of his parents on his way to becoming one of the first Asian players in the Football League and would love more youngsters to follow in his footsteps.
Born in Bhusawal, India in 1949, Heppolette moved to England with his family at the age of three and it was not long before his talent come to the fore.
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Post by billk53 on Jun 23, 2024 16:47:57 GMT
I remember him playing for Preston Dead End against us in 1971 I think it was. Thought he looked a useful 100% kind of player, never dreaming that we would be signing him in the not-too-distant future. He was named in the programme as Vic Heppolette as I recall.
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