Chelsea FC’s 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time

48. Paul Canoville: 1981-86

The story of Paul Canoville is one of overcoming tremendous odds and showing incredible bravery in the face of abuse. Canoville joined Chelsea FC from Hillingdon Borough in 1981 and became part of the side that would win the Second Division in 1984, but he is best known for being the first Black player at the club. The 1980’s were a turbulent time for the Blues and for Canoville it was no different.

As a boy he spent time in a juvenile detention center but began to play semi-pro football while living in an abandoned car in 1979. In two years time he went from homeless to playing for Chelsea and making nearly 200 pounds a week. This was not the end of his troubles however as he began to experience racist abuse from his own supporters.

Even after he had won over many of the fans, the racist abuse continued during his tenure at the club. Canoville found life at Chelsea difficult at times because of the hatred, some of which he received from his own teammates, but he still became one of the club’s better players during his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Since retiring, Canoville has battled drug addiction and cancer but much like the odds of him becoming a professional footballer, he beat both of those as well. His story is commemorated in a memoir and a documentary and he will always be remembered as a trailblazer at the club.

Next: #47