Ricky Hill: Asian football pioneer
THE story of Ricky Hill will serve as an inspiration for talented south Asians in Britain, according to a new book which revealed that his father’s side of the family belonged to Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The book Love of the Game: The Man who Brought the Rooney Rule to the UK, written by Hill and co-authored by Adrian Durham, says that Hill was the first British south Asian to play for England. He made three appearances for the Three Lions between 1982 and 1986.
Hill’s debut was in a European qualifier as a substitute against Denmark on September 22, 1982, with his only start coming three weeks later against Germany at Wembley Stadium. His final international appearance was in a friendly against Egypt in Cairo in 1986.
Hill’s great-grandparents, both Indians, had moved to Jamaica at the turn of the 20th century. However, his father Joseph came to London and married Doris (Hill’s mother) who he knew from school in Jamaica. According to the book, Hill’s father was the only one of his 11 siblings to marry someone not of Indian descent.
A talented footballer, Hill grew up in Brent, London, close to the Wembley Stadium. His skills were noticed by then Luton reserve team boss David Pleat during a schools’ cup tie in 1975.
Hill went on to become the mainstay of Luton’s midfield and played an important role in the club’s title win in 1981-82, as it earned promotion to top-flight football. He was also part of Luton’s greatest win when the team beat Arsenal 3-2 in the 1988 League Cup final.
He made 500 appearances for Luton in 14 years before joining Leicester. Hill then played for French side Le Havre and featured for US sides Cocoa Expos and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
After his playing career, Hill turned to coaching and was twice Rowdies manager. He also had stints as youth coach at Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur.