MILFORD Haven football legend Tommy ' Bull' Best, one of the first black footballers, has died aged 97.

Striker Tommy helped to break down many barriers with his goalscoring exploits when non-white footballers were a rarity.

He was born in Milford Haven on December 23, 1920, but his father was from Barbados.

Tommy played for Chester, Cardiff City - joining the Bluebirds for a £7,000 transfer fee in 1948, and Queens Park Rangers, and for a time in Milford Haven.

He became a club icon at non-league Hereford Town.

Earlier in his career he had hopes of representing Wales, but the call never came.

Speaking to the Western Daily Press in 1998, he said he could only assume the omission was down to the colour of his skin.

“You have to remember that black players were a rarity then. And I’m forced to the conclusion that I was a victim of prejudice,” he told the paper.

“I simply know I deserved to play for Wales.”

Tommy suffered with Alzheimer’s during the last few years of his life, but was still talking about football the day before he died.

He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held from 10.30am on Wednesday, September 26, at Holy Trinity Church in Whitecross, Hereford.