Gerry Francis

Gerry Francis (6 December 1933 – 10 May 2025) was an English professional footballer who played as a right winger for Leeds United, York City and Tonbridge. He was the first black footballer to play for Leeds.

Career Francis, who was a shoe-repairer from South Africa, began his footballing career in England as an amateur with Leeds United before being given a professional contract in July 1957. He made his debut in the 1959–60 season, becoming the first black footballer to play for Leeds. He joined a declining side that was relegated at the end of the 1959–60 season and despite a spectacular goal against Everton in October 1959 and a memorable performance in a 3–2 victory at Lincoln City in December 1960, he struggled to make an impression, and was released in October 1961 to join York City where he scored four goals in 16 appearances in the 1961–62 season.

In three years at Tonbridge, he made 174 appearances and scored 61 goals.