I deem it an honour and pleasure to write the foreword for Roland Butcher’s book. I met Roland at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, as we were about to engage in County Championship Match against Middlesex.

I was impressed with the young man from those early days. He was always positive, knew what he wanted to achieve and how he would tackle that massive task. He was a shining light and beacon for the young black guys who wanted to represent England at anything.

Class is a compilation of experience, technique, good decision making over sustained periods and the ability to handle the stress of high-pressure situations. Roland was all of the above.

This book is an important testament to the power of sport to break down barriers. Roland’s legacy will continue to inspire young people everywhere. It was an honour to compete against him on the field and a greater honour to call him a friend.

Sir Clive Lloyd CBE,

Former West Indies Captain, Cricket Legend

What a delight it was to receive a call from my old friend Roland Butcher asking whether I would put together a few words for the foreword to his autobiography. There was absolutely no hesitation. Of course I would, since Butch and I go back a long, long way.

I was his captain in 1980 when he made his One Day International debut against Australia at Edgbaston and he struck the fastest half century every scored for England. And I picked him again the following winter where he made his Test debut against the West Indies in the familiar surroundings of Barbados.y

Over the years since our playing days it has been great to catch up with Butch whenever we are in the same country, usually when England are still being beaten in Barbados! And it is always fun to reminisce about old times, which is what I’m looking forward to reading about in this book, and I’m sure you will too.

Beefy

Lord Ian Botham

England Cricket Legend

Roland Butcher’s journey is not just a cricketing story but a profound narrative of courage, resilience, and breaking barriers. As the first Black man to play cricket for England, Roland paved the way for so many of us who followed, including myself. His achievements on the field and his grace off it have been a source of inspiration throughout my life and career. What stands out most about Roland is his unwavering dedication to excellence, even in the face of challenges that would have discouraged many.

Roland Butcher is more than a cricketing icon; he is a pioneer whose influence transcends the sport. Reading Breaking Barriers: Barbados to England…And Back is like sitting down with a friend who has lived through history and is generously sharing it with you. Roland’s honesty, humility, and insight make this book a powerful reflection on what it takes to challenge the status quo and leave a lasting impact.

This book, Breaking Barriers: Barbados to England…And Back, captures not only his sporting triumphs but also his journey as a trailblazer and role model for generations. It is a testament to his strength of character, his humility, and his enduring love for the game. Roland’s story is one that needs to be told, not just for cricket fans but for anyone who believes in the power of breaking down walls and opening doors for others. I am truly honored to know him and to celebrate his remarkable legacy.

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE

Former England Cricketer

Roland Butcher has had a full and fascinating life.

Roland thus became an iconic figure in the history of black and particularly Caribbean people, for whom cricket was central to their life and culture. It is a striking story and a striking achievement. As he says, society was changing, and he was a beneficiary. But he also, more quietly, makes clear how hard he worked, and modestly shows how much he had to offer. His thoughtfulness, persistence and sheer talent were central to the fact that he was the one who was the first to make it to this particular pinnacle.

Roland Butcher offers a fair-minded and kindly account of his experiences, transplanted to UK as a child of parents of the Windrush generation. Roland can look back with well-earned pride on his life, with his wife Cheryl, and their children Paul and Michelle, and with the many, many people whom he has encountered, impressed, been helped by and has himself helped. My psychoanalyst once said to me when I was running myself down: ‘we must remember where you started from’; Roland has come a long way. His story will be of great interest, even inspiration, to many people.

Mike Brearley

Former Middlesex and England Captain

It is an absolute pleasure to write the foreword for Breaking Barriers: From Barbados to England… And Back, the remarkable story of my good friend Roland Butcher. Our paths first crossed in the late 1970s during Barbados Senior Men’s National Team trials, and from the very beginning, I knew Roland was a special cricketer. His skill, determination, and character were evident then, and these qualities would eventually take him to the very top of the game.

In 1981, Roland made history as the first black cricketer to represent England in Test cricket, a groundbreaking achievement. To make his debut at Kensington Oval, Barbados, in front of his “home” crowd, was a proud moment for all of us from the island. I had the honour of playing in that Test match for the West Indies, and while Roland was on the opposing side, it was impossible not to feel a sense of pride in seeing him reach such a milestone. It was a testament to his resilience and hard work, and it opened doors for future generations of cricketers.

Roland, I salute you for all that you have achieved, and I’m honoured to call you both a teammate and a friend. This book is a celebration of your remarkable life and career, and I’m sure it will inspire many more to follow in your footsteps.

The Hon. Dr. Desmond Haynes

West Indies Cricket Legend

Roland Orlando Butcher, international cricket icon, has shared with us the inspiring and stimulating narrative of his professional journey and personal experiences. This new book, ‘Breaking Barriers’, is more than an assembly of the performance data of his career. It delves into the development of an Atlantic citizen whose attainment of excellence sets him apart as someone who faced headwinds and social barriers and soared above them..

This book, then, carries within it pages the story of a Barbados/Caribbean son, whose global sojourn tells us as much about ourselves as it does about him. His induction into the university’s cricket project in Barbados in 2004 laid the foundation for a great revolution. The university boys, in short time, dominated the island’s premier cricket tournaments, spawning a generation of excellent student cricketers that included Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Kavem Hodge and Chadwick Walton.

This is a rich and enlightening life narrative, and we are honored to have it told in this format at this time. Autobiographical accounts are rare especially among the community of athletes. This, then, is a rare treat to be read and digested. There is much to learn from it and we thank the author for providing us with the opportunity.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

Vice Chancelor, The University of the West Indies

I am deeply proud of my friend Roland. His career has been interesting and unique. From a player breaking barriers to coach, administrator and even inventor. There is hardly an aspect of the game which he has not impacted positively. Roland has done it all with the utmost commitment, integrity and humility.

Sir Gary Sobers

West Indies Cricket Legend

 

Roland Orlando Butcher - the first black man to play cricket for England. It was a proud moment for him when he stepped onto the cricket fields of the Caribbean in an England shirt and an equally proud moment for us, his teammates, to walk out with him. As the first he was the trailblazer and many have followed

David Gower

England Cricket Legend

So many sportsmen have written books and sometimes you get the impression they write one because it’s expected of them and not because there is really much to put in it. Hence they’re not as successful as they would hope.

In my opinion, some write them too early in their lives and some just haven’t done enough to warrant a book. Not so with Roland Butcher. He has been involved in the game at all levels, from player, coach, selector, through to administrator. He has played the game in so many countries around the world, so should have an interesting life story to tell.

Michael Holding

West Indies Cricket Legend

I have known Roland Butcher as a cricketer, a mentor, and a man of great integrity. His journey from Barbados to England, becoming the first black man to play Test cricket for England, is a remarkable achievement that required not only talent but immense courage.

Roland’s impact on the game extends far beyond the records he set or the matches he played. He broke barriers that had stood for far too long, paving the way for others to follow. He brought a sense of pride to both the Caribbean and the world of cricket, proving that determination and hard work can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

Beyond his achievements on the field, Roland is a man of humility and wisdom. He has dedicated himself to giving back, mentoring young cricketers and contributing to the development of sports in England and the Caribbean. He remains a shining example of what it means to use one’s platform to inspire and uplift others.

Roland, your legacy will always be remembered, not just for the milestones you achieved but for the lives you’ve touched and the paths you’ve cleared for those who came after you. Thank you for being a true pioneer and a remarkable ambassador for cricket. Well Played.

Mike Gatting, OBE

England Cricket Legend