Cyrille Regis is a football legend and role model.
Indeed if you wrote Cyrille’s life story as a novel, Boys Owns would tell you go away and grow up.
Having failed to even get a trial with a professional club, Cyrille was spotted playing Sunday football by non-League Molesey in Regent’s Park in 1975.
He moved onto Hayes FC in 1976 and then came to attention of former West Brom centre-forward, Ronnie Allen - a scout at the time and soon-to-be Albion manager. Allen was so convinced of Cyrille’s potential he paid the £5,000 transfer fee with his own money.
Allen’s faith was soon repaid. In 1977, Regis burst onto First Division with a series of spectacular goals. He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 1978, and when Ron Atkinson replaced Allen as Albion boss, Regis – alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson - were clumsily nicknamed The Three Degrees – the first three black British footballers playing at a top English club.
Celebrated for their football but jeered by racist cowards in the crowd the Three Degrees made an indelible impact on British football – they were positive role models for other aspiring black footballers.
England International
Regis scored 87 goals in 238 appearances for West Brom, and made the first of his five England senior appearances in 1982. He moved to Coventry City in 1984 where he scored a further 47 goals and became an FA Cup winner in 1987.
FA Cup Winner
In 1991 he moved to Aston Villa and then onto Wolves and Wycombe Wanderers. His 19-year professional career ended at Chester in 1996, with Cyrille scoring 159 goals in 608 appearances overall.
After a short spell as coach at West Brom, Cyrille became a player’s agent. He was awarded a honorary doctorate at the University of Wolverhampton in 2001 and has visited Ethiopia on behalf of the charity, WaterAid.
Awarded MBE
Cyrille was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours list and collected his award on 4 November 2008.
He has been president of the Midland Junior Premier Football League since it was launched in 2004.
Thank You Cyrille!
We thank Cyrille for the time, dedication and encouragement he has given the league throughout his time as president. You are true gentleman and fantastic ambasador for the league and game of football in general.
Watch one of Cyrille’s classic goals, this one was for WBA in their FA Cup game against against Norwich City From 1982
Visit Cyrille's Website HERE for more information and interviews.