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Out of Their Skin

Duration: 2 x 60'

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In this ground-breaking miniseries, football legend Ian Wright investigates the black players of the Premier League, and the abuse they endured based on the colour of their skin.

Charting the rise of black footballers over 40 years, this is a story of progress and tension, integration and resistance. With an all-star cast including John Barnes, Viv Anderson Ashley Cole, Paul Ince, Les Ferdinand, Paul Canoville and Gareth Southgate.

Starting in the 1970s when Viv Anderson and his contemporaries burst on to the scene, this series serves as a celebration and an investigation, into the pioneering role black footballers played in changing the game. Not only changing the perception of the England team and society but exposing what still needed to be done. 

Focussing on some of English football’s black heroes and pioneers this series with vivid and often emotional recollections of personal experiences, combines fresh interviews with rare archive footage and provides a unique insight into how English sporting heritage and social culture has changed. 

From Chelsea’s first black player Paul Canoville, who was abused by his own fans, as well as John Barnes and Paul Ince, who have both said being black can hinder a manager's ability to get a job - and the way their stories changed the ‘beautiful game’ in this country for good.

 

For ITV4

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