For a legend, for a leader among the emerging pack of black players in the white-dominated football world of 1970s Britain, Cyrille Regis is a modest man. If he continues to champion the cause, he does it quietly, succinctly, politely.

Yet there can be no mistaking the pride that burns within. As one of the so-called “Three Degrees”, with Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham, his teammates at West Bromwich Albion, Regis helped to batter down the barriers of bigotry. It is why, almost 30 years on, he derives so much pleasure from Paul Ince becoming the first black British manager of a top-flight club. As with the persistence and eventual integration of Regis and his peers, the arrival of Ince at Blackburn Rovers has broken the mould. Perhaps for ever.

“Sure, I would equate it to the mid-Seventies, when loads of black players were trying to break through,” Regis said. “They were always in the squad, knocking on the door, but never quite getting there. Then suddenly, in the late Seventies, the floodgates opened. All the myths about black players - not liking the cold weather, their Caribbean style, no attitude, no bottle, that kind of stuff - were smashed.

“When we played, we didn’t know that we were creating history. It was so hard just to stay in the team - that’s all we were focused on. Never mind the history, we weren’t worried about other things. If myself, Laurie or Brendon got in the side and played rubbish, people would say, ‘Told you so.’ So it was important not to just get there but to do well as well.”

Ince can do the same. “People might say, ‘He’s not my cup of tea, he’s a bit brash, the Guv’nor tag and all that,’ ” Regis said. “But you need a certain amount of belief and arrogance. Roy Keane is confident, in your face. Sir Alex Ferguson also. Paul has got that steeliness about him, a nononsense attitude. I like that.

“What is important now is that he’s successful. It was like me making my debut: ‘I’m in the team, now I’ve got to play well.’ Now Paul’s at the next level, he’s got to stay there year in, year out. He’s got in, the door is open. But if you’re breaking new ground, you have to be successful.”

Regis, 50, who was appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last month, cuts an imposing figure. His trim beard is flecked with grey, but as the former England striker meets and greets supporters in West Bromwich, at a signing session for Barclays customers and staff, his aura is undimmed. The appreciation of the fans is as genuine as in his heyday at The Hawthorns.

It is the same high street bank and branch at which a young Regis would attempt to sort out his financial matters. “It was in this very office,” he said, smiling. Yet when the conversation returned to the dearth of black managers in Britain - and the reasons -the smile receded.

“Is there still prejudice in football?” he said. “From a playing point of view, no. Certainly not. But football mirrors society. You try to climb up the ladder if you’re a black person and it’s a lot more difficult. Absolutely.

“Go and talk to the people who employ the managers. Go and talk to the [club] directors about when they make their decisions. You tell me whether there is prejudice in the boardrooms . . . I don’t know.

“All you can say is, ‘I’ve got experience, I’ve got a job, I’ve got qualifications.’ Any person, black or white, should say, ‘Here’s me, my CV, my skills. Am I the best man for the job?’ That’s all you can do.”

If his observations are a shade cryptic, it is not surprising. As a football agent - “I have a few clients” - he has to deal with clubs’ chief executives, managing directors and chairmen on a regular basis. To bite the hands that help to feed him would be foolish.

The doors, though, appear to be open. Regis and his fellow pioneers made their mark and - at Ewood Park and perhaps beyond - it is up to Ince to leave his legacy, too.

The Barclays Premier League is watched in 600 million homes in 203 countries. For up-to-date news and more, visit www.barclayspremierleague.com

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