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Roy Francis
- Author
- Tony Collins
- Narrator
- David Ijiti
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 12 June 2025
- Run Time
- 7 hours 45 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
The remarkable story of one man’s struggle to overcome racism and revolutionise rugby coaching.
In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other: Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazingly for those times, he was a Black man in a white world.
As the illegitimate child of a mixed-race couple who gave him up for adoption, his story recounts his upbringing in a Black family living in the Welsh coalfields, a childhood shaped by memories of the 1919 Welsh race riots and, foremost, his gift for rugby. Aged just seventeen, Roy played for Wigan and, despite facing racism, became the first Black player to play for Great Britain in either rugby codes.
Roy Francis became Hull rugby league club coach in 1951 where he introduced video-analysis, sports psychology and personalised training – revolutionary methods which turned a mediocre team into championship winners. His crowning glory came when his Leeds team triumphed in the famous 1968 ‘Watersplash’ Wembley Cup Final, before he headed Down Under as North Sydney Bears club coach.
Through archives, family members’ accounts and former players’ memories, Roy Francis tells the story of a family’s journey from slavery to sporting success, and of a remarkable man who defied prejudice to reach the pinnacle of rugby as a player, coach and leader.
Critics Review
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I am grateful to have met [Roy] through the work of Tony Collins, who has so beautifully captured his remarkable life in this book. … this book serves as an important reminder of the immense impact one individual can have on an entire sport.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan, former Leeds and England rugby league player
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Tony Collins has retold Roy Francis’s extraordinary tale by breathing new life into it with brilliant reporting and sharp writing. The best biographies illuminate lives and entire eras as they unfold, Roy Francis achieves both.
Lanre Bakare, author of 'We Were There'
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Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader is a captivating read for anyone interested in the plight of the common man, even though Roy Francis himself was no ordinary man.
Martin Offiah MBE, Wigan Warriors Ambassador
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A remarkable story which gets to the heart of race, sport and society.
Ed Smith, author of 'What Sport Tells Us About Life’
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Remarkable
Intouch Rugby
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A welcome addition to the Rugby League bookshelves… We all owe Tony Collins a debt of gratitude for this biography
Total Rugby League
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majestic
The Guardian
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Tony Collins
- Narrator
- David Ijiti
- Duration
- 7 hours 45 minutes
- Release Date
- 12 June 2025
- ISBN
- 9781399417983
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Biography: sport, Rugby League, History of sport, Racism and racial discrimination / Anti-racism
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins read by David IjitiThe remarkable story of one man’s struggle to overcome racism and revolutionise rugby coaching.In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other: Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazingly for those times, he was a Black man in a white world.As the illegitimate child of a mixed-race couple who gave him up for adoption, his story recounts his upbringing in a Black family living in the Welsh coalfields, a childhood shaped by memories of the 1919 Welsh race riots and, foremost, his gift for rugby. Aged just seventeen, Roy played for Wigan and, despite facing racism, became the first Black player to play for Great Britain in either rugby codes.Roy Francis became Hull rugby league club coach in 1951 where he introduced video-analysis, sports psychology and personalised training – revolutionary methods which turned a mediocre team into championship winners. His crowning glory came when his Leeds team triumphed in the famous 1968 ‘Watersplash’ Wembley Cup Final, before he headed Down Under as North Sydney Bears club coach.Through archives, family members’ accounts and former players’ memories, Roy Francis tells the story of a family’s journey from slavery to sporting success, and of a remarkable man who defied prejudice to reach the pinnacle of rugby as a player, coach and leader.
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