Mirandinha and the Brazilians in England
Mirandinha was the first Brazilian to play in England, his negative legacy still continues today, with few Premier league teams willing to take the risk on a Brazilian’s ability settle in the UK (culturally, not on the pitch). Also the British work permit is one of the hardest to obtain in Europe.
England 1987, an all British Liverpool side were dominating English football. These were the pre-Premiership, pre-Hillsborough football years, when football was still a working class game. Fighting on and off the terraces – no all seater stadiums - and English clubs banned from European competition. As Liverpool enjoyed the high life, in the North East things weren’t going quite so well for Newcastle United. Star player Peter Beardsley was following Chris Waddle out of St James’s Park and the supporters were calling for the board’s resignation. So two weeks into the start of the season, Newcastle did what any football club in their position would do, sign a Brazilian. Twenty eight year old Francisco Ernami Lima de Silva - better known by his nickname ‘Mirandinha’.
The move cost Newcastle £575,000 with the player signing a three year contract reputed to be worth £1,250,000. Today this type of move would surprise no-one, but in 1987 no Brazilian had ever played football in the English league.
A number of players from South America had tried their luck in the Football League. But without fail all of them flopped miserably with only a couple of exceptions (Ossie Ardiles & Ricky Villa). Opinion in the English press was divided on whether this purchase was an amazing coup for Newcastle or a expensive mistake. Critics were quick to claim that the ‘the little Brazilian’ would not adapt to the British weather and the physicality of the First Division.
But Newcastle’s Irish manager - Willie McFaul - had no such concerns; after all any player capped by Brazil must be good "I don't see any risk attached to it or I wouldn't have done it".
How Mirandinha's move from Brazil to Tyneside unfolded is almost as interesting as the player’s time in England. It all started when Brazilian student Humberto Silva visited Britain, to learn English; He stayed in Worthing at the home of a local businessman. After he returned to Brazil, Silva contacted his former landlord telling him about a friend, who was a professional footballer that wanted to play in Europe.
Newcastle legend Malcolm Macdonald heard about the player. Macdonald agreed to help make the move happen. Macdonald knowing of Peter Beardsley’s impending exit, phoned the chairman and offered Mirandinha to them. McFaul's mind was made up when he watched Mirandinha play against both Scotland and England - scoring against them in a 1-1 draw - on Brazil's tour of Europe during the summer.
Mirandinha came to England with a reputation of being a selfish and bad tempered player who did not get on well with other players. Mirandinha's answer to the allegations was succinct; "I have been accused in the past of being selfish. Well if I'm scoring goals for Newcastle that's just what I intend to do".
Before his debut at Carrow Road McFaul claimed that Mirandinha "plays in a very similar style to Peter Beardsley” and at times Mirandinha didn’t disappoint. Becoming an instant hero when he opened his account, in his third game, with two goals in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. The first a deflected free-kick, the second a diving header.
At the end of his first season Mirandinha had scored 12 goals from 29 (1) appearances. In his second season he got 11 goals from 26 (7) appearances; 5 of the goals coming from penalty spot.
To most supporters Mirandinha provided some much need light relief at a hard time for the club. However I think it’s fair to say, like most of his long distance shots, his time in England ended in frustration. He was often criticised for his insistence on shooting from any angle instead of passing to a better placed team mate. The arm up in apology was a familiar sight, but when the next chance came, the result was generally the same.
He also suffered many injuries while in England. In 1987/88 He pulled his hamstring in only his tenth match. In the following season he picked up an injury within 20 minutes of the season's start and was in and out of the treatment room thereafter.
After two years the critics seemed to have been proven right. United had been relegated, Mirandinha had disappeared back to Brazil and McFaul had been sacked. So unimpressed was the new manager with Mirandinha that he greeted the Brazilians departure with barely concealed delight; allegedly stating that he was happy to see him “go home and rot".
In England, ultimately Mirandinha’s time here is remembered as been an expensive mistake. Certainly Mirandinha himself did not lose out. On top of his lucrative contract he was immediately swamped with sponsorship deals. He signed a contract with boot manufacturers Hi-Tec and with a national newspaper.
He is remembered with fondness by some ‘Magpies’ supporter’s for a few fine goals, extravagant celebrations and an unsporting kung fu kick against Dave Beasant, but for the most part forgotten by the majority of English football fans.
It would be a long time before an English club would take a risk on another Brazilian. Six years to be precise, when another North Eastern, industrial city club – Middlesbrough - took a risk on Juniniho Paulista, this time the Brazilian would succeed.
Mirandinha was the first Brazilian to player in England, his negative legacy still continues today, with few Premier league teams willing to take the risk on a Brazilian’s ability settle in the UK (culturally, not on the pitch). Also the British work permit is one of the hardest to obtain in Europe. To qualify, a player must have represented Brazil, and have played in 75 per cent of competitive international matches in the previous two years. This clearly makes it difficult for young or relatively unknown players to move to England, unless they carry an EU passport.
