o commemorate Freedom Day 2016, the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre, Sophiatown in South Africa, is showcasing a personal story of the experience of Albert Johanneson, the first black footballer to play in an English FA Cup Final.[/intro_paragraph]

His story about leaving apartheid South Africa only to be confronted by the racism on and off the field in England has been documented in the form of a comic book. The artwork was developed by Cape Town illustrator, Archie Birch.

This is a collaborative project between the District Six Museum, Cape Town and Fare network members, Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) based in Sheffield, UK, under the SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015.

Johanneson’s football story is the second in a series called FURD Pioneers, produced by the organisation. The first was about Arthur Wharton, the first black professional footballer and world sprint record holder.

2500 copies each are being distributed in both the United Kingdom and South Africa, and it is hoped that the comic will act as a catalyst for a similar partnership that will develop the subject into an animated film.

This project was supported by SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015, a partnership between the Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa and the British Council, with additional support from the Fare network and Professional Footballers Association in the UK, District Six Museum and the South African Football Players Union.