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Albert Johanneson: Plaque for first black FA Cup finalist

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Albert Johanneson will be honoured by a blue plaque at Elland Road

A plaque to honour the first black player to feature in an FA Cup final has been unveiled at Leeds United's ground.

Albert Johanneson played 200 times for Leeds from 1961 to 1969 and appeared in the 1965 Wembley final.

The plaque was unveiled at Elland Road ahead of Friday's game against Derby.

Angus Kinnear, the club's chief executive, said he "was a trailblazer and paved the way for other black players to make their mark".

South African winger Johanneson scored 67 goals for Leeds and helped the team win promotion to the then First Division in 1964.

However, he ended up on the losing side on his historic appearance at Wembley as Liverpool triumphed 2-1.

Unveiling of the plaque
The plaque was unveiled by Johanneson's granddaughter and former Leeds player Brian Deane

The plaque was displayed on the pitch before the game against Derby County and will be permanently located on the East Stand.

It is the first Leeds Civic Trust plaque to commemorate a footballer.

Johanneson was a "massive part of the history" of Leeds United, Mr Kinnear added.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said the footballer's impact and the inspiration "should never be forgotten or underestimated".

After he left Leeds, Johanneson played for a couple of seasons at York City.

During retirement he had problems with alcohol and died in Leeds at the age of 55 in 1995.