The Black Flash: The Albert Johanneson Story Book

Albert Johanneson became one of the first high profile black players in football when he joined Leeds United from the poverty of South African township life in 1961. Over the next nine years he became a favourite with the Leeds fans, amassing over 200 appearances and 68 goals whilst enduring racism, endemic in that era, on and off the pitch. In 1970 after a spate of injuries, Leeds United manager, Don Revie, released Albert and he joined York City for two seasons before retiring from football. Unfortunately life after his football career did not go well for Albert and he died in Leeds in 1995 an alcoholic, penniless, recluse. Journalist Paul Harrison was working with Albert writing his autobiography at the time of his death. Now some 17 years later, with encouragement from Albert's friends, he has decided to complete his story of 'The Black Flash', a player acclaimed by Elland Road fans and of who the great George Best said of 'he's a brave man with a lot of skill'.