As part of Black History Month, we are publishing a series of Q&As giving people from different parts of our club the opportunity to talk about their experiences of football, their relationship with Clapton Community FC, their own histories and identities, and what they would like to see from the club and from football more broadly.
Jack Francis is captain and goalkeeper for the Men’s First Team and coach for the Women’s First Team…
When a club says it is “anti-racist”, what should that actually mean beyond putting out a statement or wearing a T-shirt?
It’s all about intentional behaviour. Challenging and calling out not only overt racist language and behaviour but institutional racism in politics and football.
Do Black players and supporters sometimes feel pressure to let racist comments or behaviour go because they don’t want to be labelled as difficult?
Not so much to be labelled as difficult; but it’s just incredibly normal. I don’t know one Black player or fan that hasn’t experienced racist comments on the pitch or in the crowd. We had a situation where we played a team that was found guilty multiple times in recent years of racist behaviour, including against us, and it seems to be a slap on the wrist as a punishment. I think we’re just a little bit tired sometimes of having to be the educators of what is and isn’t appropriate as well as the ones that have to call it out. Often mid game when emotions are high and all you want to do is win for your team.
Is having Black players in a team enough to make a football club genuinely inclusive?
On the playing side, yes. The Black experience as well as the Black ‘nod’ is commonplace in dressing rooms. Pop your head around the changing room after a M1T win to hear the music post match, I didn’t splash out on a soundsystem for nothing. There will be a lot of shared experiences and solidarity in knowing that someone else gets it. But we also have to remember the diaspora is incredibly varied which is where intersectionality comes into play. Outside of the playing staff; no, representation in your team doesn’t make you inclusive if it’s not backed off outside of the pitch. Would you say any Premier league club is inclusive despite global majority representation in those squads?
Does football genuinely value Black culture, or does it sometimes value Black players while remaining uncomfortable with Black voices and politics?
Probably boils down into the idea of ‘The Good Immigrant’. I’ve heard M1T back in the day described as too aggressive, which was a hard listen. You only have to listen to the bias in commentary when describing a ‘beast’ or ‘rapid’ Black player when compared to their more ‘technical’, ‘skilful’ counterparts. I don’t see UEFA trying to do the Euros every two years akin to AFCON either. But yes isn’t it great how the teams dance…
What does being a Black supporter/player at Clapton Community FC mean to you? Is the club genuinely different from other football clubs you’ve experienced?
I’ve been quite lucky and played for clubs in areas where demographics mean it would be weird if there wasn’t Black representation. Also lucky to play for a club that actually has supporters. The demographic of the crowds and the Women’s/Non Binary teams isn’t lost on me but many of those members are actively anti-racist. We’re in a fortunate position of having actual supporters and furthermore ones that have politics protest and solidarity at the core of their being. I’m always grateful for that.
Clapton Community FC talks a lot about community, equality and inclusion. Where do you think the club gets it right, and where could it do better?
Well last year I was told if I cared so much about Black history why didn’t you write anything. Which you could argue is a valid point. I don’t think for months celebrating other marginalised communities you would ever only rely on that community to get a conversation started, and especially not at CCFC. Additionally it’s not on us to educate you, as a club that preaches anti racism. However there’s lots we get right. Cultures are accepted and celebrated on a daily basis within the club.
Does Black History Month genuinely educate people, or can it sometimes become a month of well-meaning gestures before everything returns to normal in November?
It’s nice to take stock and remember the people before us but also to analyse your own position in the world. There are hardships that I face now but there are also privileges I have to. I have people before me to thank for that. Any period of reflection is a positive thing. I’m also not a big fan of Black History Month being reduced to slavery, civil rights and Obama. Our stories are joyful, rich in culture and full of love and happiness. Yes from a starting place of great shame but we thrive.
How important is it for young Black footballers to see people who look like them in positions beyond the pitch?
Incredibly so. We all know we can be incredible players. It’s perhaps more important to see the physios, club secretaries, doctors, sports scientists, educators and all the other incredibly important voices around a football club so that we’re heard.
Can someone love football, support a club and still be part of a culture that excludes Black people?
People do. Enough stadium bans will show you that’s the case. It’s not on me to tell people how to act right. I’m very much pro free speech but I’m not anti-consequence.
Is football genuinely prepared to listen to Black people when they say something uncomfortable, or only when they say something that makes everyone feel good?
Institutionally probably not. Miss a penalty and you’re not a citizen or even human being. Southgate got a lot of things wrong with England on the pitch but when he said we need to look at ourselves before criticising other countries on how they treat Black players did resonate.
What is something white football supporters genuinely don’t understand about being Black in football?
Get ready to be thrown into incredibly off the mark stereotypes. Have you ever had a manager say to you they just don’t trust Black goalkeepers? I’ve had refs tell players with sickle cell that they can’t play with baselayer leggings, even when it’s proven to help prevent a crisis.
If you could change one thing about football’s relationship with Black people tomorrow, what would you change, and why?
Black players can be slow, they can be goalkeepers, they can be technically gifted, they can be intelligent. But enough about me. I love the game but it doesn’t owe me anything. I love my heritage and it’s nothing that I had any hand in (cheers Dad) Football is life and with life we face adversity (though not as much as our predecessors) and we use our spirit to battle through it which makes success sweeter. We’re here and successful in spite of status quo, not because of it. I’m keen to emphasise BHM is CELEBRATION of who we are and all the great things we have, can and will achieve.