Vivian Granger

Granger was also instrumental in getting the Black-only National Professional Soccer League (South Africa) or NPSL launched in 1970. He worked side by side with the head of the NPSL, George Thabe. Separate leagues were held based on the Apartheid legislation which was in force at that time. Granger also played a major role in pleading the case for membership to the world body FIFA. In 1976, a multiracial South African XI played an Argentinian Invitation team. It was Granger who said that there was no specific law preventing white teams from fielding black players and in 1977 Arcadia Shepherds F.C. became the first professional soccer team to field a black player in Vincent Julius.

Granger authored The World Game Comes to South Africa (Publisher Howard Timmins, 1961). He was also a published sports cartoonist.

Referred to as “Mr Professional Football”, Granger felt that the time was ripe for professional soccer to be introduced in South Africa. Along with Dave Marais and Lubbe Snoyman, they convinced the South African soccer world that the game was ready to go professional. In mid-1959, The National Football League (South Africa) was introduced where Granger became the General Manager. The immediate success of professional soccer drew the visits of many overseas teams, most notably Real Madrid in 1964.

Vivian Hector Granger (27 May 1919 – 14 December 1984) was a soccer administrator and the dynamic driving force behind the creation of professional soccer in South Africa in 1959. He played a critical role in bringing about multiracial soccer in the country in 1978.