This research published by Anthony J Sargeant in 1972 was based on data he collected as part of a Bachelor’s degree dissertation while studying at The University of London. At the time their were no black footballers or cricketers playing for England and there were many racial stereotypes being bandied about. The logical conclusion of the level of participation and success of West Indian boys in school teams was that they would soon be represented in national teams: A point picked up and given publicity by the media including the national press. The consequence was anonymous poison pen letters to the author from racists. The only time in his career that research by Professor Sargeant generated such a reaction.
Educational Research 1972: 14 (3), 225-230
A secondary finding was a high correlation between academic ability and participation; both West Indian and white English participation was proportionally higher in the top streams.