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Who was Britain's (and the world's) first Black professional footballer?

How does Darlington fit into this important step in British football?

512px-Arthur_Wharton_c1896.jpg
Arthur Wharton c. 1896. Public Domain

Arthur Wharton

Arthur Wharton was born in Ghana in October 1865. 

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He moved to Britain in 1883. He moved to the Cleveland area to study to become a missionary. However, here he soon realised his passion for football. 

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Wharton played in goal for Darlington in the 1886-1887 season. 

 

He later moved to Preston North End - the most successful team in England at that time.  

Darlington FC. 1887. Winners of the Cleveland Cup. Wharton is seen seated in goalie kit, next to the trophy. 
Public Domain. 

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Darlington_FC_Winners_of_the_Cleveland_Challenge_Cup_1887.jpg

Wharton's achievements. 

Wharton also played for Newcastle for a short time. 

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As a footballer, he was known to hang from the crossbar and catch the ball with his legs!

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He later held the record for being the fastest man for running 100 yards in 10 seconds. 

Over to You!

How was Wharton Remembered?

Read the extract from The Northern Guardian on 10th February 1893. 

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  • What can we infer about what people in Darlington thought about Wharton from this article?

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Below is a mural of Arthur Wharton in Darlington, painted in 2020. 

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  • What can we infer about the importance of Wharton from this image?

The Northern Guardian. 10th February 1893

The sporting fraternity - especially those of football circles - of Darlington had the opportunity last Saturday of once more seeing an old athletic favourite, and once amateur champion sprinter, in the person of Arthur Wharton, who was doing duty as custodian in the football match Rotherham v Darlington. His reception as is usually the case, was a cordial one, and went to show that his memory is not yet dead in the Quaker borough, where, it will be remembered, he made his debut, as a sprinter and carried all before him. 

Mural dedicated to Arthur Wharton, Darlington. 2020
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Our thanks to the Arthur Wharton Foundation for permission to use this image. For more information click below

aw mural.jpg
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