The late, great Clive Sullivan should not be forgotten when talking about pioneering black British rugby league players. Plus letters from Sue Allot, Raphael Chaskalson and Simon Fielding Despite his admirable letter (17 August), the sentiments of which I wholeheartedly concur with, David Hinchliffe has omitted the name of the late and great Clive Sullivan, who skippered the 1972 Great Britain team to its last World Cup success. Indeed, I understand that Sullivan was the first black captain of any British sporting side. Supporters and fellow players of what we northerners refer to as “the greatest game” feel immensely proud of this fact and of his memory, which is cherished to this day. Unfortunately, despite his outstanding qualities on the wing for Halifax, Johnny Freeman was never selected for Great Britain – his career coincided with the primacy of Billy Boston, Mick Sullivan, John Stopford and Ike Southward. Like his compatriots Boston, Clive Sullivan and Colin Dixon, he hailed from the famous Tiger Bay district of Cardiff. As such the prospects of these players in Welsh rugby union would have been strictly limited.Les SheardChulmleigh, Devon• Congratulations on printing two letters extolling the forward “social” thinking of rugby league. Your reader, Bill Tordoff, reminds us not to forget the word “union” when talking about the white middle-class sport. However, we should not forget the word “football” either. Hull Football Club play Rugby League football and are called “FC” because there was little or no soccer (association football) when, according to the Hull FC website, “Led by a certain Anthony Bradley, a group of ex-public school pupils, mainly from Rugby School but also from St Peter’s, York, Marlborough and Cheltenham, the Hull Football Club was formed late in 1865.”Sue AllotIlkley, West Yorkshire Continue readingread full article
