Vince Hilaire

Vincent Mark Hilaire, born on October 10, 1959, in Forest Hill, London, began his professional football career as a 17-year-old with Crystal Palace in March 1977. His debut against Lincoln City marked the start of a significant tenure with the club. He quickly established himself, becoming an integral part of the team. During his time at Crystal Palace, Hilaire made 255 league appearances, scoring 29 goals. He received the Supporters’ Player of The Year award in both 1979 and 1980. A notable milestone was his role in the 1978–79 season when Crystal Palace won the Second Division championship title. In 1982, he also played a summer season for the San Jose Earthquakes in the North American Soccer League (NASL) as part of a loan spell, making 22 appearances and scoring 1 goal.

Following his period at Crystal Palace, Hilaire moved to Luton Town in July 1984, where he made six appearances. Later that year, in November 1984, he transferred to Portsmouth, a club where he made a substantial impact over four seasons. At Portsmouth, Hilaire played 146 matches and scored 25 goals, contributing to the club’s return to the top flight. He was inducted into Portsmouth’s Hall of Fame in 2017. His career continued with Leeds United from 1988, playing 51 games and scoring seven goals before moving to Stoke City in November 1989. He later joined Exeter City in 1991, making 33 appearances and scoring four goals in the 1991–92 season. In 1992, he became joint player-manager at Southern League side Waterlooville. Hilaire also earned international caps at England Youth, B, and U21 levels, making 8 appearances for England Youth, 1 for England B, and 9 for England U21.

Throughout his career, Hilaire was one of the early black players in English football, navigating a period where racism was prevalent. He has openly discussed his experiences with racist abuse from crowds, including monkey chants and derogatory name-calling. He advocates for education to combat racism, distinguishing between ignorant and racist individuals. In 2018, his autobiography, ‘Vince’, co-written with Tom Masalona, was released, detailing his life and experiences in football. Hilaire remains an ambassador for Portsmouth F.C. and is recognized for his contributions both on and off the field.