Inspiring Regis blazed a trail

In many ways, Cyrille Regis lived every young footballer’s dream. In many ways, he did not.

Born in the rural town of Maripasoula in French Guiana in February 1958, Regis moved with his family to west London at the age of five to a city where families seeking housing would often be greeted by signs which read: “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs.”

It was a tough upbringing and dreams of a career in football appeared to have eluded him when the trials he craved failed to materialise.