Opposition fans used to greet Alex Williams with bananas, burning crosses and envelopes packed with razorblades when he was Manchester City ’s goalkeeper.

Even his manager and team-mates used language that would now get them sacked such was the acceptance back in the 1980s that football was racist and nothing could be done.

Williams, now aged 61, has just retired after a lifetime which saw a serious back injury end his playing career after just 125 appearances for the club he supported as a boy – but still brought a MBE for the outstanding work he did over more than three decades for the City in the Community charity.