Speaking in City Square outside the Etihad Stadium, Horne and Williams appeared as part of Black History Month and the No Room for Racism Premier League takeover.
Horne, who played for the Club between 1965 and 1968, was the first ever Black player to win the league while Williams became the first Black goalkeeper in the top flight when he made his senior City debut in 1980.
Asked whether he was aware of his impact as the Club’s first Black player during his career, Horne said: “Not really. It developed over the years, when I started playing it didn’t enter my mind that I was different to everybody else.
City in the Community mark World Mental Health Day
“It was one of those things that occurred, and I was privileged to have been the first Black origin player, I am more than proud to have achieved that.
“When I grew up in Oxfordshire, I was the only Black lad. I grew up in a different era. I found it sometimes quite difficult but I think it made me a better person.”
Horne was one of four former players awarded their 1967/68 league title winners medal in October 2021 and it’s been a busy 12 months for the 77-year-old since.
I’m a bit reluctant to carry the medal about with me because it’s so precious,” he said.
“My family were chuffed to bits when I was awarded it and that made me so proud. It’s been a hectic year doing interviews and appearances, but I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
Williams agreed with Horne, stating that he didn’t initially consider how his skin colour may have affected the impact his career would have.
The 60-year-old was born in Moss Side, in the shadow of Maine Road, and has described it as a dream to have represented his favourite club.
He said: “I used to watch a certain team on the other side of Manchester and then City the following week. It all turned for me when Neil Young scored the goal in the 1969 FA Cup final, that’s when I became a massive blue.
“Not too many footballers get the opportunity to play for the club they love. This has always been one of the greatest clubs in the world, certainly off the field but nowadays we’re one of the best teams in the world.”
Williams is an ambassador for City in the Community, the Club’s charitable arm, after working with the department since retiring from playing the game.
Crystalising the impact that his representation on the pitch had, he recounted a story from his time in this role.
“We used to have Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips playing for us and I saw Ian Wright watching them.
“I went over to shake their hand and he said ‘You don’t have to tell me who you are Big Willo, you were my hero. I used to go in goals at lunchtime and pretend I was Alex Williams.’
“If being around football has inspired young Black footballers like him to take up the game then that’s a great thing.”
