Read on Twitter
This banner being up is an embodiment of what Canners means to the history of this club and what he represents in football
It was organised before, and not because, he is in hospital, & has a much wider significance
Here is why the banner went up - a thread
#TheCannersWay
It was organised before, and not because, he is in hospital, & has a much wider significance
Here is why the banner went up - a thread
#TheCannersWay
Canners was Chelsea's first black player and made his debut in 1982 against Palace
On that day, as he warmed up, he was met with racist abuse from his own fans. In his own words, he felt 'sick' and 'terrified'... but dispite that he still came on
On that day, as he warmed up, he was met with racist abuse from his own fans. In his own words, he felt 'sick' and 'terrified'... but dispite that he still came on
Paul began to get more game time as the season progressed but he was still was subject to vile songs sung about him, buy his own fans
He kept playing, kept fighting & started to win over the supporters, becoming a fan favourite at the club & helping the team win promotion in 84
He kept playing, kept fighting & started to win over the supporters, becoming a fan favourite at the club & helping the team win promotion in 84
Sadly, a persistent knee injury forced him into retirement at the young age of 25
After football he struggled with mental health issues, his baby son passing away, drug addiction, homelessness, and the fight against cancer
After football he struggled with mental health issues, his baby son passing away, drug addiction, homelessness, and the fight against cancer
However, Paul still came out fighting
He rose up resilient & fought every step of the way, going on to write an award-winning book before founding the @_PCFoundation, sharing his experiences with young people and teaching them how to build essential life skills
He rose up resilient & fought every step of the way, going on to write an award-winning book before founding the @_PCFoundation, sharing his experiences with young people and teaching them how to build essential life skills
On top of laying the path for other black players to come through the ranks & make their mark on Chelsea history
Paul has also made huge contributions in the community, working with @kickitout, Show Racism the Red Card, @KickOffAt3, Football against Racism, @ChelseaFC, @FA & more
Paul has also made huge contributions in the community, working with @kickitout, Show Racism the Red Card, @KickOffAt3, Football against Racism, @ChelseaFC, @FA & more
You will also struggle to find an ex-Chelsea player who is so friendly with, and open to meet, supporters as Paul is. Despite what he had to endure, he is one of the biggest Chelsea supporters and advocates that you can meet. A genuinely well-natured man with a big heart
Paul is a trailblazer & seeing his name hung inside The Bridge is a symbol of what he means to this club & what he represents
It shows how far things have come, thanks to people like him, but there is still a long way to go.
Let’s keep going - The Canners Way
It shows how far things have come, thanks to people like him, but there is still a long way to go.
Let’s keep going - The Canners Way
