Early Black Footballers-Arthur Wharton
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.
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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 record
Read an extract of Phil Vasili’s book about Arthur Wharton
