Great article by Michael Holland. As a former Blackheath Schools, Kent Schools, and Charlton Athletic FC 'European Tour' team mate of Ben Odeje, I know that Ben's Thames Gateway, City Challenge story is truly at the heart of Deptford's FARE network (Football Against Racism in Europe) case against racism in football 1966-2016. Michael Holland's article reveals suppressed truths from a poor part of South East London, at a critical moment in time, as we approach the 2016 European Championships in France, and a referendum vote on whether or not we stay in the European Union. I've done my best over the years to promote the real story of England's 1st black footballer at any level, and both the Durban International Film Festival, and Global Entrepreneurship Week UK have liked my idea to make a film about Ben's life story
http://londonist.com/2016/02/benodeje
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ps are you Dianne Abbot ?
The reason this is so important for Charlton Athletic FC and South East London football/business/politics etc is Ben's genuine claim 1971-2016 has been supported by his friends, and former team mates, both on, and off the pitch, which includes the leading case for the defence against NF/BNP entry-ism into London's Sporting/Planning Arena 1991-2016, a case that has been referred to the Home Secretary twice in the last six years. If we had allowed Ben's story to be covered up by a false claim relating to Laurie Cunningham, all hope of ever revealing suppressed legal truths would be lost.
Or is that the problem?
; )
And despite all the posts I still have no idea where the BNP are supposed to fit into it all - do they keep wiping people's memories?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Race
So many questions.
I've been married to an Asian for 20 years and we still live on fucking takeaways.
Following Charlton Athletic's RED, BLACK, AND WHITE DAY, Ben Odeje led early criticisms against Sepp Blatter in the build up to the Women's World Cup, which have since contributed to his downfall https://www.facebook.com/100008501430158/videos/1431842620442439/
Last night I sent the following text to Dr Michael Seeraj of Charlton Athletic Community Trust.... Hi Michael, are you still involved with CACT? If so you should be aware that Michael Holland has written a 'State of the Art' piece for the Londonist about Ben Odeje, who became England's 1st black footballer at any level in 1971, and a CACT Ambassador to the world in 2014. Today Fifa appointed a new President from Europe Gianni Infantino, and I posted about Ben Odeje on my facebook page, and on the Charlton Life Forum too. England gave the game of football to the world, and Fifa is currently a toxic organisation, in a state of financial and moral crisis. A high profile role for Ben Odeje at Fifa wouldn't be a bad idea, and it would help the African Nations who feel totally betrayed by the Old Boys of Europe. Best regards Roy
Haven't you had any other interests since 1973 ?