The footballer setting record straight after 46 years

A 19-year-old Sunderland player made his first-team debut on 2 January 1978 and assisted in a 2-0 win over Hull City. Hours later, racist abuse began. His career was cut short by injury two years later, after facing so much racism that he could not watch football for many years. He moved away and changed his name, and he did not share his story until later in life. He described still feeling the pain and said he wanted supporters to understand where he was coming from. He had been signed from Halifax Town in 1977 and had settled in Seaburn, where he felt connected to Sunderland through family Sunday School outings from Bradford.

"“I waited 46 years to break my silence, because I didn't think anyone would listen. I thought I'd take these stories to my maker.” Rumour had it Roly Gregoire had become a bus driver, a milkman or even a DJ. But what really happened to Sunderland's first black player was too painful for him to talk about until now."

"“Sometimes I wish I'd never played football, to tell you the truth, because some of the pain, I can still feel it,” Gregoire, now 67, tells BBC Look North in an emotional interview. “Talking to you, I can feel myself welling up at times but I'm trying to contain myself because I want to get this across so the supporters can understand where I'm coming from.”"

"His first-team debut for the club on 2 January 1978 should have been the proudest day of his life, but hours after the 19-year-old's assist in a 2-0 win over Hull City, the racist abuse started. By the time injury cut short his career two years later, he had faced so much racism that he could not bear to watch football for many years. He moved away, changed his name and until now has not felt able to share his story."

Read at www.bbc.com