Football is not just about the big name stars, who gain fame and fortune around the world. It touches every aspect of life and is a great leveller. People of all backgrounds, races, religions and cultures can come together through football.Steve Stacey is not one of the big stars. But, as the son of a black American GI and a white English woman, he was a pioneer. Professional football is all about the Steve Stacey’s of this world, climbing the ladder from playing in the street, school, through non-league to some of the less glamourous venues of league football. Playing in the rain at Newport, struggling against hamstring strains, and dressing room high-jinx are what the great game is all about.The Professional Footballer’s Association is proud to have helped Steve tell his story. It is one that will resonate with football lovers everywhere and is a great insight into what it was like to be a professional footballer in Steve’s time.Gordon Taylor OBE, Chief Executive, Professional Footballers’ Association

• Foreword by Gordon Taylor OBESign-on day – Is the press colour blind?Joe and ClarenceAugust 27, 1944EvelynOak Road, HorfieldGaslight FootballSchool DaysFairfieldLocal FootballDotApprentice ProfessionalFootball LifeGoalkeepingBabiesThe PoolsBristol CitySlippery SlopeTransferWrexham DaysTransfer ShockTraining on a MountainHamstringMatch Day TicketsSigning on the Wing of a PlaneTop Flight FootballBack to Bristol CityExeter CityAustralia BeckonsMy Father’s VoiceFinding My FatherBlack Pioneer?

Football is not just about the big name stars, who gain fame and fortune around the world. It touches every aspect of life and is a great leveller. People of all backgrounds, races, religions and cultures can come together through football.Steve Stacey is not one of the big stars. But, as the son of a black American GI and a white English woman, he was a pioneer. Professional football is all about the Steve Stacey’s of this world, climbing the ladder from playing in the street, school, through non-league to some of the less glamourous venues of league football. Playing in the rain at Newport, struggling against hamstring strains, and dressing room high-jinx are what the great game is all about.The Professional Footballer’s Association is proud to have helped Steve tell his story. It is one that will resonate with football lovers everywhere and is a great insight into what it was like to be a professional footballer in Steve’s time.Gordon Taylor OBE, Chief Executive, Professional Footballers’ Association

• Foreword by Gordon Taylor OBESign-on day – Is the press colour blind?Joe and ClarenceAugust 27, 1944EvelynOak Road, HorfieldGaslight FootballSchool DaysFairfieldLocal FootballDotApprentice ProfessionalFootball LifeGoalkeepingBabiesThe PoolsBristol CitySlippery SlopeTransferWrexham DaysTransfer ShockTraining on a MountainHamstringMatch Day TicketsSigning on the Wing of a PlaneTop Flight FootballBack to Bristol CityExeter CityAustralia BeckonsMy Father’s VoiceFinding My FatherBlack Pioneer?