Liverpool's first black footballer honoured with mural in local community
The mural of Howard Gayle is in celebration of community role models
Last updated 20th Jul 2024
A mural of Liverpool's first black footballer has been officially unveiled in his home city.
The mural, on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth, is the second in a series commissioned by the charity 'Mandela8' to portray positive role models and their achievements.
Howard said:
"(It's an) unbelievable feeling. It's not often that you get your name and your face put up on a gable end of a wall in Toxteth. I'm just ever so proud and overwhelmed.
"Hopefully what it will do is it will inspire a lot of young people around here that this is something that you can achieve."
After signing a professional contract with the Reds, Howard became the first black player to play for the club.
Throughout his career, Howard has been the subject of racial abuse and has since become established as one of the country’s most dedicated activists, working to see racism removed from the game.
The completion of the new mural comes ahead of Mandela8's 'Acts of Kindness’ programme, which falls on the internationally recognised Mandela Day on 18 July.
To mark the day this year, Mandela8 and Liverpool BID Company have joined forces to ask corporations to identify a month within the year to do 'acts of kindness' for a community organisation as part of their 'Celebrating Communities' theme for 2024.
Artist John Culshaw, who created the mural, said:
"One thing I have learned is how proud the people are of the area and how much they get behind each other and feel the pride when someone achieves something extraordinary."
Sonia Bassey MBE, Chair of Mandela8, said:
"As such a key partner in the community we think it's apt that the mural is of someone who not only made history but someone who now uses their position to help others.
"I'd like to thank Howard for giving us his blessing to bring this mural to life and to the brilliant John Culshaw for another stunning work of art."