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Aston Villa and the Aston Villa Foundation have posted a touching tribute to poet Benjamin Zephaniah after the 65-year-old died today.
Born in Birmingham in 1958, Zephaniah had dyslexia and was kicked out of school at just 13 years of age unable to read or write.
But that would not stop him as he went on to rise to prominence, writing poetry about social injustice and the aftermath of empire. He would even be seen in BBC’s Peaky Blinders.
He also credits former West Ham striker Clyde Best with being his hero while growing up after seeing him play live.
Benjamin Zephaniah was born in nort-Birmingham leading the poet to become an Aston Villa fan
In a statement shared to his social media his family paid tribute to his legacy
Following the confirmation of his passing from the poet’s family Aston Villa took to X, formerly known as Twitter to post their tribute.
The club wrote: ‘Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by news of the passing of legendary writer and poet, Benjamin Zephaniah.
‘Named as one of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008, Benjamin was a lifelong Aston Villa fan and had served as an ambassador for the @AstonVillaFoundation.
‘The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his family and friends at this time.’
In response to the club’s post, the Aston Villa Foundation added: ‘Everyone at the Aston Villa Foundation is saddened to hear about the passing of Benjamin Zephaniah.
Through his writing, Benjamin was an inspirational figure to many, working closely with our young people as our ambassador. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.’
Throughout his life Zephaniah was a major football fan and in speaking to the Premier League his love for the sport was made clear.
He said: ‘My dad wouldn’t take my brother or me to watch football matches, but our Uncle Simpson would. Uncle Simpson was a factory worker and union rep.
‘He was born in Jamaica but came to Britain in the mid-Sixties. That made him a member of the Windrush Generation, but it wasn’t called that then.
‘Then he was just a Jamaican-born British citizen who had a keen sense of justice – and a love of football.’
But his visits to the ground would not be all happy memories as he detailed the racist abuse he would suffer along with his family when they attended matches.
‘I was born in north Birmingham, so our team was Aston Villa. For us young kids, there was nothing more special then when Uncle Simpson took us to watch the Villa.
‘But the journey to Villa Park could be arduous and dangerous. Often, as we walked to the ground holding uncle’s hand, we would be verbally assaulted with racist comments.’
‘When we were in the ground supporting the team we loved, the comments increased in number, and amplified in volume, and this was from people supporting the same team as us.
‘I used to get very scared, but Uncle Simpson would have none of it. He always told us, “We are Villa till we die, no matter what anyone else says”‘
Many may have recognised Zephaniah as Jimmy Jesus in the BBC’s Peaky Blinders
Benjamin Zephaniah often attended West Ham matches with his brother and his uncle Simpson
Despite being an Aston Villa fan, Benjamin Zephaniah credited West Ham’s Clyde Best with being his footballing hero
Despite his love for Aston Villa, his hero played for West Ham: ‘One day we were watching Aston Villa play West Ham, and I was mesmerised by one player.
‘Clyde Best. A black man. I had seen him on TV but seeing him play in front of me made me wonder-full, and I mean full of wonder.
“He was the only black footballer I had seen playing in England.
‘Pele was really big at this time, and I remember the great Portuguese player Eusebio making headlines, but they came from far away.
‘Clyde Best was one of us. I felt a bit like a traitor. Aston Villa was my team, and I wanted them to win, but I wanted Clyde Best to shine.
‘He was my hero. I just thought if he could do it for West Ham, then I could do it for Aston Villa.’
