Obidinma Onyeali, son of Tranmere Rovers’ first black player, Elkanah Onyeali, has thanked management of the English League 2 side following his visit to Prenton Park from Nigeria, adding the visit means to his family .
Obidinma said that it was the last wish of his father to be celebrated by Tranmere Rovers, and was delighted to hear from the club regarding the partnership with his family’s foundation.
Back in October during Black History Month, Tranmere Rovers in the Community partnered with the Elkanah Onyeali Care Foundation.
Set up by Obidinma Onyeali in his father’s name, the foundation helps young Nigerian players to have a career in football.
Elkanah was one of the first Nigerians to play professional football in Britain and scored nine goals in his 16 appearances for Rovers after joining in 1960.
He visited for a stadium tour of Prenton Park on Friday, before he was welcomed to the Newport County match on Saturday where he spoke to supporters and guests in the lounges before the game and assisted with the half-time draw pitch side.
“We sent Rovers shirts over to Nigeria for the winners of the foundation’s annual football tournament, and are delighted to welcome the foundation’s president and Elkanah’s son to Prenton Park for the weekends game all the way from Nigeria,” the club wrote on their official website.
“Elkanah faced Newport County in one of his 16 Rovers games during the 1960-61 season, so Obidinma was happy to attend the same fixture his father played in,” Obidinma Stated.
“Our dream in Elkanah Onyeali Care Foundation (EOCF), is to transfer the virtues of my late Dad to the young talents who want to become useful to themselves, their families and the society at large.”
He added: “I’m so excited and emotional. It’s a historic moment for me and my family.
“My father would be so proud. He never stopped talking about Tranmere Rovers and his teammates.”
Obidinma is grateful to Tom Clarke, media personnel of Tranmere Rovers ,the Chairman of Tranmere Mark Palios ,the wife Nicola ,the fans of Tranmere who gave him audience to talk to them and above all Tranmere Rovers In particular for a warm welcome over to Tranmere .