In 1978, Anderson made history as the first Black footballer to play for the England men’s senior team. Of the other Black players who followed in his wake in the late 70s and early 80s, with the exception of John Barnes, he was by far the longest-serving.

Even so, a few days before his first match, the Observer ran with the headline “Black is bountiful”, and concluded: “The Black revolution in English football isn’t coming. It is here.” These were prescient words; the current England men’s squad has nine Black or mixed-Black players, and more than 100 Black men have played for England since Anderson first took to the pitch (though Black women remain woefully underrepresented).

Anderson’s parents had come to the UK from Kingston, Jamaica in the 1950s, as part of the Windrush generation. Like many in that era, they were enticed by the promise of a new life abroad and willing to make sacrifices for it. His father moved over first; his mum, Myrtle, followed shortly afterwards. He began working in security; she had been a teacher in Jamaica but was told her qualifications were not valid in England. Instead, she became a dinner lady, then an NHS nurse. The couple settled near to family in the centre of Nottingham, later moving to the Clifton council estate. Anderson was born in 1956. His younger brother, Donald, came two years later.

While Anderson is pragmatic about Freddie’s chances, he speaks warmly about the fact that both his sons have taken on elements of his playing style and outlook. “They run very similar to me. They both got my physique. You can see some similarities,” he says. “It’s this desire to be a footballer.”

His legacy then, is carried on through his children. But, I ask, is it important for him to be recognised as the first Black player for England? There have been debates about which men should carry that crown; Jack Leslie was the first Black player to receive an England call-up in 1925, John Charles played for England Under-18s in 1963, Benjamin Odeje played for the England schoolboy squad in 1971, Laurie Cunningham played Under-21s in 1977, and Paul Reaney, who is of mixed race, is regarded as the first BAME England men’s senior team player, having made his debut in 1968.

“It’s not just about being the first Black player. But it’s all the rest of it, it goes together,” Anderson says, calling the debates a distraction. “I don’t want them to talk about, ‘Oh, Viv Anderson was the first Black footballer who played for England.’ I just want them to say, ‘Viv Anderson was a really good footballer.’”