Memorial bench honours club's first black footballer

Andy Alleyne suffered racist abuse during matches in the 1970s

A memorial bench has been installed to honour Reading Football Club's first black player.

Full-back Andy Alleyne - who died of cancer aged 61 in 2012 - made his Royals debut in 1972 at a time when racist abuse from the stands was much more common than it is now.

Holybrook Parish Council commissioned the tribute, which has been placed in Linear Park behind Alleyne's home.

An informal unveiling is being held on Sunday.

The bench's plaque makes reference to Alleyne's astonishing debut goal

Parish councillor Maurice Moore, who is also a presenter for Hospital Radio Reading, watched Alleyne's debut for Reading.

The club was in the fourth tier of English football at the time and Alleyne scored a remarkable goal from the halfway line against league leaders Southport.

Alluding to the racism faced by Barbados-born Alleyne, Mr Moore said he "heard and saw things I wish I hadn't" while watching matches.

"However, it was the courage and quiet determination with which he faced those challenges which opened the door for others," Mr Moore said.

The bench has been placed near the footballer's family home in Corsham Road

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire in 2022, Alleyne's wife Moreen said he had been a "pioneer" for black players.

"He used to come home and say 'as long as I've had a good game that's all that mattered'," she said.

"He was all for his football and I think he blocked all that racism and shouting out."

Alleyne played 53 times for Reading before going on to play for Wokingham Town and a number of other local clubs.