Arthur Wharton was one of the world’s first Black Professional Footballer. Playing for clubs such as Preston North End, Sheffield United and Darlington.
He was also the World Record Holder for the 100-yard dash. The forerunner to today’s 100-metre sprint.
Arthur was born to parents who were both mixed race. His father was half Grenadian and half Scottish, and his mother was half Scottish + half Fante Royal of the stool family of Ekumfie.
Pictured here with the Prince Hassan Cup (Athletics). Arthur was probably the first African to play professional cricket in Britain, Arthur was an all-around sportsman who found acclaim in Britain. Strangely though, at the time of his success, non-white peoples were being labelled as sub-human.
In Victorian England, the dominant ideas labelled Black people as being innately inferior to all other races. Arthur Wharton flew in the face of these theories not least because had been educated, and he was a master of sports.
Arthur went to school in Cannock, Staffordshire. His fame came later when he was dubbed the “best goalkeeper in the north”. He played for Preston North End in the 1885-6 season. He also ran for the Birchfield Harriers and played football for Darlington all in one year. 2 world wars later, and the collapse of the British Empire, pioneers like Whatron had become largely forgotten.
After the decline of his sporting career, Wharton became a miner and died penniless, his grave was unmarked until the 1990s when researchers came across his story and brought it back to the attention of the World.
Arthur was the forerunner of all-black footballers. Certainly, someone to look up and research. Preston North End has a tribute to him.
To learn more about him. see “The First Black Footballer – Arthur Wharton 1865-1930, An absence of Memory” by Phil Vassili Frank Cass Books. *Defunct.
You may also like
- Andrew Watson – Scotlands’ First Black Footballer
- Doug Brown – Stoke On Trent’s Black Mayor
- Cess Podd – A forgotten Black Footballer
Related external links
- Football Unites Racism Divides – Arthur Wharton
- Tees Valley Museums – Arthur Wharton (details and YouTube video about Arthus Statue)
- BBC news – Trading Card of Arthur breaks recordÂ
Read an extract of Phil Vasili’s book about Arthur Wharton
Related Articles
Black And Asian British Resources – British Library
Submitted by Andy Simons Here attached is an update of my Black & Asian British resources bibliography of materials here
KS3 Britain's Black History – Black Britons
Black History for Schools Teachers looking for black history for schools? There has been a Black Presence in the British Isles
Frederick Douglass: The British Tour that Bought His Freedom
Escaping slavery in America, Frederick Douglass found in Britain a powerful network of abolitionist support and the funds that would
Obama may be President but don't take your eye off the issues!
Blogger John Ridley points out that whilst the President of the worldsmost powerful country enjoys cosy nights on comfy chatshows,
A tribute to our African Queens: May they forever reign supreme
America™s history is replete with women of color standing tall “ from Sojourner Truth to Michelle Obama and all in
On Black British Soldiers
Black British Soldiers in the British Army Black Presence often comes across details of black soldiers either through searches in
