"I remember standing in the tunnel, and the band was still playing, My knees were knocking and if you'd given me the choice to forget it I probably would have, I was so nervous." Odeje recalls.
Born in Nigeria in 1955, as a child Odeje moved to England with his parents. The family lived in south-east London, where Odeje attended South East London Secondary School
in Deptford, and his mother worked as a nurse.
In March 1971, as a 15-year-old, he was selected for the England schoolboys team to play Northern Ireland in front of 70,000 fans at the famous Wembley stadium. Mr Odeje helped England to a 1-0 win.
The history books seem to have forgotten this great man, instead, Laurie Cunningham is recognised as England's first black footballer at any level.
The English FA has confirmed that this Nigerian was the first black player to represent England at any level.
A spokesman for the Football Association said: "We've spoken to our historian, and at the time the English Schools' Football Association ran the team.
"But we can confirm Benjamin Odeje was the first black player to represent England at any level."
Odeje spent majority of his playing career with Charlton. He has coached at Queens Park Rangers, worked as a teacher of physical education, and run children's soccer schools in north London
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