Paul Canoville, Chelsea's first black player - who still turns out for the Blues' Old Boys XI - talks about his experiences in professional football, his fight against racism, and his upcoming talk at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon

You were Chelsea FC's first black first-team player. When you broke into the team, did you feel like something of a trailblazer or just another player?I played for Chelsea between 1981 and 1986. To be honest, at the time I didn't think of anything other than my football. It was always my dream to play professionally and, like all young players, I just wanted to do my best and let the football do the talking. I suppose it wasn't until later that I realised the significance of my role. Is there a particular incidence of racism that stands out from your playing career?At the time, there were certain sections of the Chelsea fans who were ignorant, abusive and threatening. When they got together as a crowd at a game their behaviour was far from supportive! There was persistent chanting, booing, some of the fans made monkey noises and even threw bananas. I just tried to keep my head down, really, not to think about it. I tried to concentrate on the game and never look into the crowd. Once, during a reserve game between Chelsea and Millwall, I did look up into the crowd and couldn't believe it when I saw two fans dressed in white Ku Klux Klan hoods. I was pretty shocked that they were admitted into the stadium. What was the highlight of your playing career?Without a doubt, I will never forget the Milk Cup game in 1985, away at Sheffield. I had not seen my dad in a while. He had recently been in touch and was living in Sheffield, so I invited him along to see me play. At half-time, Chelsea were 3-0 down. I came on as a sub and was on fire! I scored within 11 seconds and scored a further goal to help the team to draw 4-4. I felt great and was a real highlight for me. I felt I had made my dad proud. What do you feel about the efforts football, as a sport, has done to combat racism? What further improvements do you think could be made?Helping to educate and inform people about racism in sport is also a way to influence society - what happens on the terraces is not just happening there but also mirrors the attitudes of society in general. Campaigns, such as Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card and Football Unites, Racism Divides, are all making a real difference. It is just over 20 years since I played but we have come a long way. Chelsea, in particular, is a real multi-racial club. It is great to see players like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien idolised by the crowd. I would also like to see more black players going on to the top level as coaches and managers. It is important for young people to have positive role models. You are working with Chelsea once more. What does your role involve and how does it feel to be working for the club again?I feel like I have come back into the Chelsea family. It was amazing to come back last season and to be greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd. It is great to be involved in games with the Old Boys team and to be out playing my best, even if I am not quite as quick as I was! I really enjoy working with Chelsea's education department, who arrange for me to meet pupils through their events in the local schools and libraries and at the Chelsea Hub. I love meeting the pupils and their teachers and I have even been invited to a school assembly where the children acted out my story! It was also funny to see myself brought to life as a comp-uter-animated cartoon character. How did you come to be giving this talk at the Polka Theatre? What do you hope it achieves?Chelsea Football Club's education department have been working with the Polka Theatre and invited me to come and talk after the show. The story of Wayne Matthews has many themes which link into my own experiences and I also grew up in west London. I hope, as with many projects which are run during October's Black History month, as well as during Kick It Out's Week of Action, that this is a successful family event. Hopefully, in seeing this picture of the past, children and their families will go away with a picture of how things were quite different just 20-odd years ago. I'm quite humbled to be told by Chelsea's education team that I am a positive role model. I enjoy working with the team and hope to contribute and help make a difference.Canoville will speak at the Polka Theatre, in Wimbledon, on Saturday, one of a series of post-show talks to accompany the play There's Only One Wayne Matthews! For more details call 020 8543 4888 or visit polkatheatre.com.WIN CHELSEA GOODIESTo celebrate the run of There's Only One Wayne Andrews at the Polka Theatre, a lucky reader will to win:* A family ticket to see the show at the Polka Theatre (allowing four people in to any performance until the end of the run; * A Chelsea goody bag (featuring a rucksack, mini football, mug, branded stationery and stickers.A runner-up will also win a goody bag.

To be in with a chance of winning answer this question:

Who was Chelsea's top scorer last season?E-mail your answer with your name, address and phone number to johnp@london.newsquest.co.uk.

Entries must be received by next Monday, October 8.