BOOK: Roy Francis : Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins

Roy Francis : Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins

The remarkable story of how the illegitimate son of a mixed race couple became the father of modern rugby coaching,

In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other: Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching, and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazing for the time, he was a black leader in a white world.

Given up for adoption by his white mother, Roy Francis grew up in a black family who had lived in the Welsh coalfields since the 1880s. His childhood was shaped by memories of racist riots but his gift for rugby helped him escape. Aged just 17, he left to become a professional rugby player with Wigan and, despite facing racism, became the first black player to play for Great Britain in either rugby code.

In 1951 he became coach of Hull rugby league club where he pioneered video analysis, sports psychology and scientific training methods, leading them to two championship triumphs. He moved to Leeds in 1963, coaching them to victory in the famous 1968 ‘Watersplash’ Wembley cup final, before
controversially heading down under to coach the North Sydney Bears.

Using archives, family memories and players’ reminiscences, Roy Francis tells the story of a family’s journey from slavery to sporting success, and of a remarkable man who overcame adversity to become not only one of rugby’s great players but also the man who revolutionised rugby coaching.

Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins is out 5th June, £18.99 (Bloomsbury Sport)

Tony Collins is Emeritus Professor of History at De Montfort University and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Sports Humanities. His book The Oval World won the Aberdare Sports History book of the year, one of his four books to have won the prize.