Glenn Webbe - The Gloves Are Off - Autobiography of Welsh Rugby's First Black Icon — Autobiography of Welsh Rugby's First Black Icon

Disgrifiad Cymraeg / Welsh Description

Hunangofiant Glenn Webbe, un o sêr rygbi'r undeb yn y 1980au. Roedd yr asgellwr o Benybont yn wir arloeswr: y chwaraewr tywyll ei groen cyntaf i chwarae dros Gymru, y chwaraewr tywyll ei groen Prydeinig cyntaf i ymddangos yng Nghwpan y Byd a'r chwaraewr cyntaf erioed i sgorio tri chais. Roedd yn enwog am ei bersonoliaeth rhadlon, yn arbennig yn wyneb y rhagfarn a brofodd.

Disgrifiad Saesneg / English Description

Autobiography of 1980s rugby union star Glenn Webbe. The Bridgend winger was a real ground-breaker: first black player to play for Wales, first black British player to appear in a Rugby World Cup and first of any colour to score a hat-trick of tries, as well as being famous for the good humour with which he faced the prejudice he encountered.

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Bywgraffiad yr Awdur / Author Biography

Since retiring from rugby, Glenn Webbe now owns and runs a successful kitchen design business in Cardiff. Geraint Thomas is senior reporter for Media Wales, and was shortlisted for the 2016 News Reporter of the Year in the Media Wales Awards. His previous book for Y Lolfa, Terry Davies: Wales's First Superstar Fullback , also a rugby autobiography, was very well received and was shortlisted for the 2017 Cross Sports Book of the Year Awards.

Adolygiad y Cyhoeddwr / Publisher Review

The autobiography of rugby union star Glenn Webbe. A winger for Bridgend for 14 seasons, he was the first black player to play for Wales, the first black British player to appear in a Rugby World Cup and the first of any colour to score a hat-trick of tries. His 250-plus tries in 404 matches for Bridgend gave him a strike rate second to none, and he was loved by teammates and supporters alike. As a real ground-breaker in the sport not only in Wales but in Britain, he talks in depth about the experience of being a black player in the 1980s and the good humour with which he faced the prejudice he encountered. He discusses what it was like to be the first person of his race to represent Wales, his experiences with prejudice and his attitude to the ignorance and racism which can still rear its ugly head in the sport today, as well as revealing many hilarious behind-the-scenes stories.

Adolygiad y Cyhoeddwr / Publisher Review

There could not be a more appropriate time for the publication of this book. Consider these words by the author: ‘Sadly, it seems racism in sport has reared its ugly head once more, which is quite unbelievable when you consider it’s 2019 and we live in a multicultural society.’ Yes, it is quite unbelievable. And utterly shameful. But Glenn Webbe, to his great credit, qualifies that statement. It is misleading, he says, to state that there is more racism now than ever in sport. It’s just that it is reported more. Yes, Webbe became a target for racism and bigotry from an early age. Touring South Africa with the Welsh Youth Team he witnessed that ultimate evil, apartheid. He accepts that some name-calling was banter. He was once thrown a banana by a rival supporter. He picked it up and took a bite out of it before throwing it back. He was cheered! But let us not dwell on racism. Webbe will be remembered not for his colour but rather for his ability on the field and his demeanour off it. Geraint Thomas, who co-wrote this book, puts Webbe’s attributes in a nutshell, describing him as having the power and ability to beat any defender of his day. He won ten Welsh caps and remains Bridgend’s second highest scorer in the Premiership. Had he not been a great rugby winger, Webbe could well have made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian. He even kicks off with a joke, explaining the reason why he was speedy. It was, he says, a family trait: ‘... when you grow up having seven sisters you have to be pretty quick on your feet to get to the bathroom first each morning.’ And that is just a sampler. It is all here – the highs and the lows – much more of the former. Webbe is the son of immigrants from St Kitts who were part of the Windrush Generation. His parents met on the Queen Mary on their way over in the early 1950s, married and settled in Ely, Cardiff. Like other West Indian immigrants of the time, life wasn’t easy for them. But, says Webbe, ‘they came here in good faith and helped rebuild this country.’ This is not just a book about a great rugby player; it is also about a decent and a thoroughly likeable man.