Albert Johanneson had the distinction of becoming the first black player to appear in the FA Cup Final when he stepped out at Wembley for Leeds United against Liverpool in the 1965 showpiece event. Although the game would ultimately end in defeat, the occasion was to provide the highlight of a career in which the South African faced a huge challenges, both on and off the pitch.
The cultured left-winger joined Leeds in 1961 after impressing on trial. Over the next decade he would go on to make 200 appearances for the Whites, scoring an impressive 68 goals, including two hat-tricks in European ties. Albert would no doubt have achieved even more had it not been for the fact he spent much of his career competing against the legendary Eddie Gray for a place in the side.
Affectionately dubbed the 'Black Flash', he had the ability to turn opposing defences inside out, possessing lightening quick pace and an abundance of skill. However, Johanneson was often the target of racist abuse from both fans and opponents alike. Irish star George Best paid tribute to his immense courage, saying: 'Albert was quite a brave man to actually go on the pitch in the first place, wasn't he? And he went out and did it. He had a lot of skill. A nice man as well…which is, I suppose, the more important thing, isn't it? More important than anything.'
The pressures of the abuse he had to contend with as a black footballer took their toll on Johanneson. He turned to drink to cope with his demons, undergoing treatment for alcoholism on a number of occasions. In the end it proved too big a barrier for him to overcome, ultimately costing him his life. Tragically Albert was found dead in a rundown flat in Leeds in September 1995, aged just 53.
