UCFB academic Richard Flash has offered an insight into The Premier League's British Asian pioneers, since the league was founded in 1992-93. Take a look at what he wrote below...

Season 33

The 33rd season of the English Premier League recently commenced on August 16th. The match-week 1 fixtures overlapped with the end of South Asian Heritage Month, which runs annually from July 18th until August 17th.

When the Premier League began in 1992, one British Asian played in the first match-week. In comparison, 45 Black players made appearances across 16 of the 22 teams, with the majority from British Caribbean backgrounds.

Since the inaugural season, the growth in the number of British Asian players has been sparse. Belatedly in 2022, the Premier League launched an action plan to try and address the issue.

The UK has recently celebrated its 5th South Asian Heritage Month.

The sole British Asian player in 1992 was former Coventry City striker Robert Rosario.

In May this year, he told Sky Sports that he shied away from the Asian side of his family because he wanted to be accepted by society. He regretted not embracing his Asian ancestry earlier.

Furthermore, former Arsenal winger Jimmy Carter waited over 25 years before disclosing his Asian ancestry.

Carter made his Premier League debut three days after Rosario. Hence, it is fitting that the slogan for this year’s South Asian Heritage Month was ‘Free to Be Me’. Perhaps 1990’s England suppressed the Asian ancestry of both players.

Notably, the 2024 Premier League season has kicked off with no British Asians playing in the opening fixtures.

Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury came close. He was an unused substitute in the season’s first Monday night game. Leicester were relegated in May 2023, therefore referee Sunny Singh Gill was the only British Asian running ‘around’ a Premier League pitch last season.

The numbers of British Asian players remain low after three decades so the league’s action plan has a difficult task ahead. As a result, this article reviews and celebrates the ‘known’ Premier League British Asian footballers.

Premier League's British Asian Pioneers

  1. Robert Rosario

In May earlier this year the headline stated ‘I wanted to be White and English’. As a teenager, former Coventry City striker Robert Rosario found it difficult to cope with the racism in English society. He was born in London to a White German mother and Brown Anglo-Indian father. A highly rated striker, he won four caps with England under 21’s. His Premier League debut came at Highfield Rd on August 15th 1992 against Middlesbrough. He played in 39 Premier League matches for the Sky Blues and Nottingham Forest, scoring four goals.

  1. Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter’s Asian ancestry derives from his Indian father who was raised in North India. Prior to joining Arsenal, he wore the number seven shirt for Liverpool. His Premier League debut came in August 1992 for Arsenal against Blackburn. He started alongside the legends Tony Adams and Ian Wright. Until recently, Carter was known as the Premier League’s first British Asian footballer. He made 19 appearances, scored 2 goals, and was a member of the Gunners squad that won the FA and EFL Cups in the 92-93 season.

  1. Hasney Aljofree

Manchester born Hasney Aljofree was signed by Manchester United and played in their academy teams. He moved onto Bolton Wanderers and in April 1998 he made his Premier League debut. The central defender started in Bolton’s 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers. His Asian heritage derives from his father’s Singaporean ancestry. He played in two Premier League matches with most of his 250+ appearances made in the EFL. He was recently appointed Head of Coach Education by the Football Association of Singapore.

  1. Clint Easton

Clint Easton graduated through the Watford academy into their first team. He was coached by Watford legends Kenny Jackett and Luther Blissett. A son of English and Indian parents, he made his Premier League debut in August 1999 against Wimbledon. He played in 17 matches before accumulating over 200 EFL appearances for Norwich City, Wycombe Wanderers and Gillingham.

  1. Michael Chopra

Similar to three of his predecessors, Michael Chopra’s mother was English and his father Indian. He progressed through Newcastle United’s academy system and represented England 31 times at various youth levels. He was touted as a future prospect for England at senior level. His Premier League debut came in May 2003 for Newcastle against West Bromwich Albion. He made 60 appearances and scored 9 goals, his first against rivals Sunderland.

  1. Zeshan Rehman

Birmingham born Zesh Rehman holds a number of footballing accolades. He is the first British Asian to have played in England’s top four divisions. Additionally, he is the Premier League’s first Pakistani international, as his parents emigrated from Pakistan to England. He developed in Fulham’s academy and made his Premier League debut in April 2004 at Anfield. He made 21 appearances and is currently the first team development coach at Portsmouth.

  1. Neil Taylor

He was born in North Wales but spent seven years at the Manchester City academy prior to signing for Wrexham at 16. His mother is Indian and his father is Welsh, making him Wales’ first international of Asian descent. His Premier League debut came in August 2011 for Swansea City. He missed the Swans very first match against Manchester City, but started their second fixture at home to Wigan. He went onto play in 146 matches for the Swans and Aston Villa.

  1. Neil Etheridge

Neil Etheridge came through the academy system at Fulham. His Asian ancestry descends from his mother who is Filipino. He spent six years as a professional at Craven Cottage but his opportunities were restricted by injuries. In 2017 he signed for Cardiff City and won promotion to the Premier League. On his debut he became the Premier League’s first British Asian goalkeeper, and he played in all 38 matches that season.

  1. Hamza Choudhury

Hamza Choudhury was born in Loughborough to Bangladeshi and Grenadian parents. Hence, he is eligible to represent three countries at international level. He joined the Leicester City academy as a seven year-old and made his Premier League debut aged 20 in November 2017. The Foxes were promoted last season as EFL Championship champions. Therefore he re-enters the league having made 53 appearances and scoring one goal.