New Book Spotlights the Impact Black Footballers Have Had on the Beautiful Game

Are We Allowed to Just Dream? is a new book published by David Adekoya of LadderBoyz that explores the impact Black footballers have had on the growth of the Beautiful Game and the wider throes of culture.

Divided into five chapters — Beauty, Gift, Imagination, Action and Celebration — each section blends archival photography, art and design, mixed with poetic storytelling to celebrate the lives who’ve shaped football as we know it, as well as reveal the challenges that the Black community faces both on the pitch and in society.

From John Barnes and Ian Wright, Pelé and Ronaldinho to modern superstars rewriting the playing script, this book is a "celebration of the champions who inspired us to dream, despite being publicly demonized, belittled, ostracized, abandoned, and ridiculed by those who were supposed to support and protect them—the fans and institutions,” said LadderBoyz in a statement.

The project is currently in its fundraising phase as LadderBoyz needs 1,000 orders to make this book a reality. For those looking to purchase, Are We Allowed to Just Dream? is available to preorder for $89 USD.

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