Hibernian FC’s first ever black footballer has spoken of the obstacles he had to face and overcome when playing for the Easter Road team.
Kevin Harper, 46, made his debut for Hibs at the age of 17 and says that he was not aware of his historic feat at the time. He went on to achieve a successful career both north and south of the border while also inspiring a younger generation of black Scottish footballers.
Since retiring, Harper has become an activist for fighting racism in the Scottish game and for advocating for equality in football. Although he looks back fondly on his playing days, the winger also spoke of the issues that he faced throughout his career.
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Speaking to Hibernian FC as part of Black History Month, he said: “I was one of a kind in more ways than one!” joked Kevin before making a serious point.
“At the time I didn’t know I was the club’s first black player. I’m not sure anyone even thought to check it so there was no big fanfare around it.
“Knowing now that I was the first black player to come through a club’s youth ranks and break into the First Team anywhere in Scottish football – it was obviously a big thing.
“At times, it was difficult though because I had to listen to the abuse being hurled at me and I found it hard to deal with.
“I received racial abuse from seasoned pros and from the terraces all over Scotland. It was disappointing and it is even more so that we are still seeing it in our game.
“Black and ethnic minority players are still getting it. It’s not just a football problem, it is a societal problem and until we attack it head on, it is always going to be there.”
Harper has become a role model for non-white players breaking through into the Scottish game and has no doubt inspired many to overcome the racial obstacles that exist today in Scottish society. He says that he wants to continue to use his profile to raise awareness of the racist issues impacting football in Scotland.
He continued: “I certainly didn’t consider myself an inspiration when I was breaking into the team at 17 but now looking back, I can see it.
“That is why I speak so much about racism in football and equality because I feel that I have a duty as an ex-professional footballer to try and make change happen.
“Whether I have a big enough platform to do that, I don’t know. When I speak out, it is not about Kevin Harper, it is about showing up the issue that is still there to this day - over 25 years after I broke onto the scene.
“I have been fighting and talking about racism for around 20 years and although it has improved a little bit, there is still a long way to go before it is where it should be.”
The original Hibernian FC article can be found here.
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