Steve Mokone - Barnsley's first black player, on this day in 1961

On this day in 1961, when Barnsley played Southport at Oakwell in the first round of the Football League Cup the match was notable for three reasons.
1. It was the Reds' first ever home League Cup tie. The League Cup started the previous season but both of the matches Barnsley played in that first season were away from home – a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town in Round 1 and a 0-3 defeat at Derby in Round 2.
2. Ken Oliver scored all three of Barnsley’s goals in a 3-2 victory and so became the first Reds' player to score a hat-trick in the competition.
3. South African forward Steve Mokone made his debut and became the first black player to play for the Reds.



Whilst Mokone was apparently very skillful, reports suggested he lacked strength and this was to be his only appearance for the Reds as he left shortly afterwards. He played in Spain, Canada and Australia before retiring.
After football he moved the the United States in 1964. In 1978 he was convicted and imprisoned for assault against his then wife, Joyce Maaga Mokone. He pleaded guilty to the crime of atrocious assault for the attack on her in November 1977 and was sentenced to serve between 8 and 12 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Ann Boylan Rogers, the 34-year-old female attorney who was representing Mokone's wife in divorce and custody proceedings against him was also attacked and had sulfuric acid thrown in her face outside her home in Manhattan. Rogers was left seriously disfigured and blind in one eye. In 1980 Mokone stood trial in New York accused of having orchestrated this attack. Mokone denied this crime but was found guilty of Assault in the First Degree and sentenced to serve 5 to 15 years in New York State Prison after completion of the New Jersey sentence. He was released from custody in August 1990.

Mokone consistently denied his guilt and claimed that he had been specifically targeted due to his links to the left-wing, anti-apartheid ANC, who were considered a terrorist group by the CIA. Journalist Tom Egbers, in investigating the case, noted the "specific and suspicious interference of both the CIA and FBI and the leading of witnesses by the police". Steve Mokone died in Washington on 19 March 2015, aged 82.
Interesting article about him here:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/.../steve-mokone-the...

Footnote:. The Football League Cup was the brainchild of former Barnsley Chairman Sir Joe Richards - hence his name being on the trophy.

 

I was at that match and remember him very well indeed. That was because he showed such skills as we could only dream about in Barnsley. I was really disappointed to hear that he had moved on.

 

Sounds like he was a right cap end.

 

Is that the longest prison sentence served by an ex-player?

 

Some story that. Pales Derek Bell ‘volleying his wife’ into insignificance.

 

One season too early for me but I remember my dad talking about his short time at Oakwell. You could say that he was the black version of George Kerr who I DO remember. George was all tricks and flicks but also a very good player all round in the red number 8 shirt.

 

Pretty sure a lot of ex players have been married longer.
"OUCH" sorry Maria

 

Interesting read that thanks. The link though a pop up requests to register. Chuff bags.

 

Sorry about that @Hooky feller - it didn't for me when I looked at it a few weeks ago. There was also this one in the Chron in 2020 - hopefully it'll work.... https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/a...fessor-convicted-criminal-and-first-black-red

 

Thanks for that mate. I allus buy the Chron n'all. Except if I'm away. (Yep looking at the date) I used to get the online editions but they somehow screwed up my subscription. So went back to paper editions.

 

Sounds a waarm 'un!!...........sithi.

 

Not as good as Dave Regis....

 

I think the first black player I can remember as a fan of the reds, was Winston Campbell.

 

George Kerr signed at the same time in 1961.

 

was we the first club in english football to have a black manager viv anderson

 

he was mine,seem to remember Kenny burns used to find him on left wing from defence 9/10.

 

I think, without checking, Lincoln may have had Keith Alexander before Viv arrived

 

he may have been the only black manager at the time,I seem to remember being proud for some reason.

 

We’re both wrong! They started the same time but Tony Collins at Rochdale was the first, taking that job in 1960.

 

Blimey 1960 I wouldn't have expected it being as early as that,no disrespect,but I think in most households even on TV there were name calling,I remember monkey noises being made at oakwell,and there were even comments made about Winston Campbell.