Who was the first black football player to play professionally?
Who was the first black football player? is a question that always arouses curiosity and is an interesting topic in football history. Arthur Wharton is the one who made this historical mark. As a pioneer in the world of sports, Wharton was not only a football player but also an excellent athlete in many other sports, and especially the first person to bring ethnic diversity to English football. His life and career reflect overcoming difficulties, resilience in a period full of racism, and great contributions to sports in general. Let’s learn more about Arthur Wharton with Kingsoccertips through the article below!
Who was the first black football player?
Early years and education
Who was the first black person to play football? Arthur Wharton was born in Jamestown, Ghana in 1865. His parents were of Grenadian and Scottish descent, and he was of Ghanaian Fante royal blood. Despite his African descent, Wharton was well educated and attended Cleveland College in Darlington, UK, where he arrived in 1883. Arthur Wharton was originally sent to England to become a missionary, but his career took a completely different direction.
Different sporting careers
Soon after arriving in the UK, Wharton began playing sports and quickly demonstrated his outstanding talent. He was not only a talented footballer but also a versatile athlete. Throughout his career, Wharton competed successfully in a variety of sports, including cricket, rugby and cycling. However, football remained his greatest passion.
Arthur Wharton: England first black professional footballer
Starting his professional football career
Wharton began his professional football career at Darlington FC, a small but very popular club in English football at the time. His ability as a goalkeeper brought him to the attention of larger clubs. Arthur Wharton is believed to have been the first black professional footballer when he signed for Preston North End in the 1880s. Wharton was part of the Preston North End team that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1886–87, which helped him establish himself in English football.
Joining the First Division and Sheffield United
Arthur Wharton then went on to play for Sheffield United, whom he joined in the 1894–95 season. This was the season in which Wharton became the first black player to play in the First Division, cementing his status as an icon in his footballing career.
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Arthur Wharton legacy and influence in modern football
Arthur Wharton other sports achievements
Apart from football, Wharton was also known as an outstanding athlete in other sports. In July 1886, he set a remarkable record when he became the first official fastest man, running the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds, a record that stood for 30 years. Arthur Wharton was also a champion cyclist and a professional rugby player.
Final life and football career
After leaving professional football in 1902, Arthur Wharton lived a simple life. He became a miner in Yorkshire, but continued to play cricket. Although his talent brought him considerable success, the racial discrimination in British society at the time meant that Wharton’s career was cut short and not properly recognised.
In 1930, Arthur Wharton died in poverty at Springwell Sanatorium in Balby, and he was buried in an unmarked grave in Edlington Cemetery. His story was forgotten for decades, until in 1997, Wharton’s grave was finally given a marker, marking the return of one of Britain’s lesser-known sporting legends.
In Conclusion
The question of “who was the first black football player” has been clearly answered through the life and career of Arthur Wharton. Despite countless difficulties and challenges, Wharton did not give up and left an indelible legacy in football and sports in general. Although he did not receive the recognition he deserved in his time, thanks to efforts to restore his image and story in recent years, Arthur Wharton has been known and honored as one of the pioneers of football, as well as a symbol of the fight against racism in sports.
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