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Fantastic achievements by a truly remarkable man, who I had never heard of until now!

I really enjoyed this blog, an amazing story of a history almost buried. Not to split hairs but it appears Arthur was dual heritage (as I am), which in my opinion doesn't make him the first "black" professional player. It's often the case I suppose that "black" pioneers aren't actually "black" at all Bob Marley, Jimmi Hendrix, Hale Berry to name a few but that's a totally different discussion....

Thanks for the good read.

Andrew Watson played Internation football for Scotland in 1881. (He was black.)
Not taking anything away from Arthur Wharton but which one was the "pioneer?"

Just read that Andrew Watson was the first black player to play international but Wharton was the first black player to turn professional.

Very informative blog - as for the question on Andrew Watson - did he play professionally?

If not then I would say Wharton's impact as a pioneer is higher especially given his achievements in other sports as well. Andrew Watson's achievement in terms of being capped by Scotland and playing for Queens Park were also great.

2. At 14:27pm on 28th Mar 2011, Herc - 606er in Exile wrote:
I really enjoyed this blog, an amazing story of a history almost buried. Not to split hairs but it appears Arthur was dual heritage (as I am), which in my opinion doesn't make him the first "black" professional player. It's often the case I suppose that "black" pioneers aren't actually "black" at all Bob Marley, Jimmi Hendrix, Hale Berry to name a few but that's a totally different discussion....


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Why does it make a difference. I've never unbderstood why some people claim mixed-race people aren't properly black like you need a qaulification for it or something. I remember at school sometimes you had mixed race kids calling people who had 2 black parents the N-word and sometimes theer would be reciprocal insults of the same type and I never understood why as considering the amount of racism from the National Front and others at the time you would have thought they would stick together

I know its off topic on what is a good blog, but the whole Hale Berry thing about her being a Black pioneer really annoys me.

They hype it because she was the first black Oscar winner, when in fact it was Whoopi Goldberg for her role in Ghost ( )

Anyway, as I said good blog and interesting read, I had not heard of him either.

Perhaps once we no longer have to say someone is the first 'black' or first 'white' something rather than just first person/sportsman, etc we can celebrate that racism has finally gone away and that our colour is irrelevant.

Because we're different, that's my point.

It's my belief that in general mix raced people (in history and the media at least) have been more readily accepted than black people. Whether it's because in general a person with one black and one white parent is more likely to have a greater cultural nuance with white people and is more likely to have grown up in white circles and hence has an inherent social awareness or perhaps even that they are likely to carry a number of white facial features.

It's not as simple as saying "well you're mixed race therefore you are black" it's easy to do that on the basis of the colour of someones skin. Genetically and culturally speaking you are literally as black as you are white.

Barack Obama is another example, first "black" president? He too is as black as he is white.

The hype is about it being the lead actress Oscar, wasn't Whoopi Goldberg's for supporting?

ahhh that may be it, I remember reading somewhere about it just being the first black actress to win an Oscar, but maybe I am remembering it wrongly, or maybe its my complete dislike of the overhyped Hale Berry :D .

between 1999-2002 i worked on an anti racism initiative with PNEFC, as part of my work i used to visit local schools and communities with the History of Black Footballers Exhibition, which included Arthur Wharton and Ricky Heppolette reputely the first Asian to play in England, I am proud that Preston had both these players and is part of this towns history, if only everybody so it this way

Halle Berry is a terrible actress agreed.

Did the woman who wouldn't mention (who I assume was his daughter) Wharton, ashamed of his race or did they have some personal dispute? It seems odd that she didn't see fit to talk about him yet kept photos of him for all her life.

Herc - 606er in Exile - I think you'll find that Halle Berry's mother is white. Anyway, it is irrelevant compared to the story of a remarkable athlete who deserves recognition.

Congratulations Ö÷²¥´óÐã sport, although this article is very important in sports history. The Arthur Wharton story has been done at least 20 times in the last 10 years. so you didnt hear it here 1st! Check out total football, 442 and various other magazines/fanzines. What has Halle Berry got to do with this!

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I know Bond that's why we were talking about her, the relevance being black pioneers aren't always technically black (well in the case of Arthur Wharton anyway).

By the way, the first black Oscar-winner was Hattie McDaniel in 1939 (Best Supporting Actress - Gone With The Wind).

The racism thing is, was and I guess always will be part of the human psyche.
I remember growing up in England and being called "that Irish womans kid".
Went to Canada and was called "Limey".
Returned home (with a slight accent) and was named "Yank".
Emigrated to Aussie and even after 40 years am still called a "Pommie" (even by my kids when the cricket is on).
God only knows what it must be like for a black, yellow or brown man!

Put the statue at Wembley! RIP Jack!!

Most "black" people born outside of africa e.g carribean south are of mixed decent to some degree (like myself, does that mean they cannot be called black ?, he suffered racial abuse as "black" man even he was quarter european , anyway the point is that its shows how far people of african decent ( no matter what degree) have progessed and how racial relations have improved

Wharton was doing what he love best at that time but maybe it was offending some members of his society at that time. Sports/football goes beyond what sports was meant for hence such forgotten heroes would always come up later. With the mixed race thing it goes beyond what we read. They have been groomed to believe being black is not a good thing and the black race can't achieve something without them hence the hype whenever they achieve something after all the first black thing, all it means is after all the barriers put before this race someone could break the barrier.

It's not surprising to me that pioneer footballers of African descent, who played in Europe are not known to many in this 21st century. Trail blazers such as Andrew Watson, Arthur Wharton and a few others should not be forgotten for posterity. Those who do not know the past may not be able to decipher the future. A book, Why Africa? newly published is the best guide to inform the public on different sports where Africans excelled in the past.
- Bona Udeze

Maybe this story should be made into a film. Not by Hollywood, please, but by a British film house.

So basically whatever you're called is what you are? I'm not saying that the people aren't or can't claim to be black. Invariably they opt to allow the title, who doesn't want to be a pioneer in their industry? And I won't deny "First black" sounds better than "First not completely white" I just fear that the whole "look how we've moved on" doesn't hold as much weight when the first black everything is someone who's been often raised in not such a culturally or socially different way to the white people who had previously dominated the industry.

I'm also interested to know where you draw the line, is Ryan Giggs the most decorated black premier league player ever because his father is by your distinction "black" or does he look white enough to be considered white?

If he was to refer to himself as that , why not? at what point does a black person become mixed races and a mixed race white? or is it down to looks a what you can pass for? because there are "white" looking people of african decent and very dark people of a mixed decent. black people may often have been raised in a similar way to whites but there are still social boundries that often prevent them from achieving their full potential in not just sport but all things

It seems like whenever race is discussed, we get into some petty argument about who is whiter than whom, and mixed race against pure black/white.

Arthur Wharton was not a Caucasian, therefore he was likely discriminated against for this fact.

Sorry to come back to Halle Berry again, but I think there was something she said about race and discrimination: "No matter how little chocolate there is in the milk, to most people it's still chocolate milk". The Caucasian will most likely look upon any mixed race person as "Non-White".

What a great article and a great man by the sounds of it. I'm suprised his story is only now coming to light.

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21. At 18:36em on 28th mar 2011, essien_123 wrote:

Most "black" people born outside of africa e.g carribean south are of mixed decent to some degree (like myself, does that mean they cannot be called black ?, he suffered racial abuse as "black" man even he was quarter european , anyway the point is that its shows how far people of african decent ( no matter what degree) have progessed and how racial relations have improved
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Absolutely. You have to contextualise the meaning of 'black'. A mixed race kid in Britain today is mixed race. A mixed race young Bob Marley on the other hand, was black, as he walked down the streets of Britain. We have come a long way and I am glad we have!

I agree with M20, get the statue up at Wembley next to Bobby Moore. We could have a statue area for trail blazers - first Englishman to captain a world cup winning team - first black professional in English football and other original role models for today could be added.

Isn't that the point of statues?

Good, and informative, blog.

Incidentally - I wouldn't climb over Halle Berry to get to any of youse lot.

Doesn't she have a comet and a telescope named after her?

Whilst these guys were pioneers ... does anyone remember them? Not a reason not to honour them of course, but I have to ask why isn't there a statue of Albert Johanneson outside Elland Road? Fantastic player, an icon, and someone who achieved at the highest level ...

The son of a renowned half-Grenadian, half-Scottish Methodist minister and a Ghanaian princess,

Now thats one hell of a genetic makeup! Great read, thanks.

Andrew Watson was not a professional because he played for Queens Park, a team that even today are strictly amateur. I stress that I was not trying to detract in any way the achievements of Arthur Wharton. If the purpose of the article was indeed to highlight "forgotten pioneers" then perhaps Andrew Watson could at least have been mentioned.

Yes not a bad read and sounds like a great sportsman but I totally agree with #8 that whilst we continue celebrating the 'first black...' racism wont go away! Whilst some of these, previously thought, minorities (e.g. blacks, women, asians etc.) may like recognition I suspect some would just like to finally be seen as full equals instead of still, in a way, being segregated! I know I would if I were in their shoes..

Very interesting story.
A great idea to commemorate such an iconic man.

Hi Mark,

What a fantastic blog! I only wish this had more exposure as (like I am sure a lot of people) this is the first I have ever heard about this.

I would be surprised if he was the only one as well as there were hundreds of people who moved to this country in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Just a shame that the National Football Museum has been moved from Deepdale where he used to play and where there was an exhibition about him. No doubt the museum is in mothballs following the proposed (IMHO) ill advised move to Manchester's Urbis centre, where last I heard the promised funding was a casualty of spending cuts!

I have read a few stories, over the years, about Arthur Wharton, so much so, when my team (Preston North End) were looking to name the 4th stand, to complete the stadium, I was hopeful Arthur Wharton would be recognised by naming the stand after him, but it was to be named after the 1888 side, "The Invincibles". The fact that this blog is about Wharton being the first coloured professional footballer is significant, and it is not because of where he started (Darlington) but where he was first paid to play football, Preston North End. Preston is steeped in history, many firsts and Arthur Wharton should be recognised at the ground in some way, and why not with this statue ? Affterall, It is still the same ground where PNE played back in 1887, so more reasons to place the statue there, than not.

The point on colour here is misguided.

What everyone needs to remember is that it was the white man that deemed anyone that showed signs of any colour as being a 'black' person. Terms such as 'half-caste', the word caste is derived from the Latin word pure. The White man would unfortunately openly use derogatory words such as these to describe mixed-race persons, no matter what the percentage.

This behaviour then spreads within the ethnic minorities too, to a point where they even believed that if you were of lighter skin colour the better a person you were. This is attitude still prevalent today to some degree.

You have to remember that being 'black' is not just the percentage split between parental colour, it's the way of life and the way person is perceived. On first encounter all the mixed raced people listed above (Obama, Marley, Berry, Hendrix and Wharton) would be described as black and it is more likely they would have grown up with the challenges faced by a 'black' person rather than the privileges of a 'white' person.

If Mr. Wharton was negative, nasty and no-good character from within history would there be the same clamour or queries highlighting his mixed heritage, I think not.

Anyway, back to the blog.......great article and great man period (regardless of his colour, creed or ethnicity).

18. At 17:39pm on 28th Mar 2011, adolfinho - Doing it for Pilks wrote:
By the way, the first black Oscar-winner was Hattie McDaniel in 1939 (Best Supporting Actress - Gone With The Wind).

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I believe that the racial issues at this time meant that she was not aloud to either be presented with the award or go to the premier (I forget which it is)

Don't forget Walter Tull. He was the second person of Afro-Caribbean/mixed heritage to play in the top division of the Football League, the first Afro-Caribbean/mixed heritage outfield player in the top division of English football, and the first to be commissioned as an infantry officer in the British Army.



And I'm very proud to say that he's from my hometown of Folkestone (we could do with him now at Folkestone Invicta FC).

Excellent piece, thank you for taking the time to write it. It's nice to see that there are a couple of blogs on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Sport that are worthy of the name.

If only he were still playing around this time. I would have loved to watch him play again. It's great that you gave him a great write up like this!

Jan |

what a magnificent moustache

For sure Arthur would have suffered back then for his origins and its good to hear he is being properly remembered.

To see how far times and attitudes have changed I need look no further than my son's junior team which plays in leafy Surrey. Diverse is written large.
Over half the team could be termed mixed heritage; except for my son all were born in England within a few miles of the club but can currently count five continents amongst their families origins. Chosen purely for their football skills.
We've yet to experience anything suggestive of racism.

Sorry, but i can never see the point in blogs and articles like this. The guy came over here and played football etc etc and sadly died a pauper. Why is it worthy of note just because hes a coloured guy? With all this ' the first black' for this and that and whatever, its ever likely coloured people develop complexes about race and quite rightly so.

thank you

Being called "Darkie Wharton" doesn't mean he was subject to racism.

Great blog - and now I want to know about Andrew Watson. Sounds like both players could have played for Scotland!

Re: the debates about mixed race and black, it really makes no odds as at some level we are all mixed race - what's the dividing line: three quarters, five eighths? What do you call the child of two mixed race parents, four mixed race grand parents, etc. I Carolina I understand the rule was one eighth black or something similarly ridiculous.

The real point is that it has NOTHING much to do with genetics - it is simply about societal prejudice regarding visible minorities. And "Darkie" does suggest that he was certainly identified by some as black (or more poignantly non white).

"36. At 23:31pm on 28th Mar 2011, AllanB wrote:
Yes not a bad read and sounds like a great sportsman but I totally agree with #8 that whilst we continue celebrating the 'first black...' racism wont go away! Whilst some of these, previously thought, minorities (e.g. blacks, women, asians etc.) may like recognition I suspect some would just like to finally be seen as full equals instead of still, in a way, being segregated! I know I would if I were in their shoes..
"

Sounds like he wasn't celebrated at the time hence the commemoration of his memory and relevant to the first match between England and Ghana given his roots. People of all backgrounds are celebrated for overcoming barriers and this is how it should be. And the barriers are real alas even if they are starting to fall.

But the other side is that black children growing up in this country are aware of the difference of their skin colour for whatever reason to society's "norm". So pioneers who they identify with who break barriers help build their pride and self-confidence and importantly allow them to feel an intrinsic part of British history.

I know this because as a second generation Scot I feel pride for the achievements of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace even though they happened seven hundred years ago;)

#41 - great post. Good summary.

8. At 15:35pm on 28th Mar 2011, SomeGibbon wrote:
Perhaps once we no longer have to say someone is the first 'black' or first 'white' something rather than just first person/sportsman, etc we can celebrate that racism has finally gone away and that our colour is irrelevant.

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These achievements need to be remembered... this is arguably the start of anti-racism.

Granted, racism has no part to play in today's society but we need to acknowledge 'pioneers' whom withstood racism to compete in the world of football and be remembered as men who set precedents that sport condones racism even at such an early period in the history of football.

Aware of past histories = History NOT repeating itself!

Someone else mentioned Walter Tull above, his is a fascinating life story too. Think he was the first black professional top flight footballer in England, playing for Spurs and Northampton before WWI broke out. He was recognised as a leader and was highly respected by his men, and even became a 2nd Lieutenant despite the 1914 Manual of Military Law specifically excluding Negroes/Mulattos from exercising actual command as officers, he was even recommended for a Military Cross.

Well, Matt, as you say in your later post, this isn't anything new. Anyone who has looked at the history of black people in England already knew of Arthur Wharton & I don't think being called 'Darkie Wharton' was racist in the way we would think today (tho' deep down I'm sure this name was a bit iffy!).

The point is surely that we have ignored the presence of black people & their contribution to the UK throughout our history (apart from the huge impact slavery had on the UK & its economy). Black Britons need to see that it's not only the fact that the whites enslaved them but that they had a presence here (albeit relatively small) & made a contribution to British society.

There's a picture of a black centurion in England; there were black people in England in Tudor times; Mary Seacole did amazing work in the Crimean War. Black people are part of our history but we need to tell people this & make them aware of this fact. If your piece helps to tell their story to a wider audience it can only be to the good.

To paraphrase (poorly) Terry Pratchett:
Racism wont be a problem anymore until Aliens arrive, as specieism will be far more fun. Black and white will live in perfect harmony, when they can gang up on green. ;)

"Before long the retired schoolteacher, now 79, had found her grandfather's unmarked grave and, with the help of historian Phil Vasili, put together the pieces of his later years."

You will find his grave in the cemetery in the ex-mining village of Edlington, nr Doncaster.

I think this is a great story, and well written. I had never heard of Arthur Wharton, nor Andrew Watson for that matter. After reading about both, I can see why recognition should go to both, and it appears that the FA have jumped on it, rightly so with their donation of 20,000 pounds.

The fact Andrew Watson was not a Pro, does not come into this, the guy played football at the highest level, at that time, which apparently his skin colour never being given a second thought. And also at a time when Football was very popular, so I do suspect that Watson did play the bigger games, with bigger audiences.

If any recognition is to be given to Andrew Watson, then probably it should be done by the SFA. However As I wrote his skin colour was never givne a second thought, mainly because racism, I believe has never been as big as an issue in Scotland, as it is/was in England.

Good blog.

As a Baggies fan, I couldn't help but notice how Arthur Wharton resembled our very own Brendan Batson during his playing days...and he along with King Cyrille was at the presentation last night. What a team Regis, Batson, Cunningham, Brown, Robson, Statham, Wile, Robertson, Johnston etc...there I go, back into my West Brom Wonderland again

Great blog about a remarkable man who hopefully will start to get the recognition he deserves.

I am of dual heritage as well and reading some of the posts there seems to be an ongoing discussion. Personally I think people of mixed race are often overlooked. Hamilton is of mixed race but was the first 'black' F1 World Champion. Obama is mixed race yet he is apparently the first 'black' president. Whilst I don't argue with their heritage and no doubt they are both proud of that part of themselves, and it is after all a step forward in racial equality, I am sure they are equally proud of their other heritage as well and thus should be addressed accordingly. Why should their 'black' heritage get all the credit?!?

Great blog, thanks Matt.

Anybody interested in following up on the subject of the article, might be interested to know that some football fans have been writing online about Arthur Wharton and Walter Tull since 2002.

Search at www.footballpoets.org, where we've actively supported the likes of 'Football Unites, Racism Divides', 'Show Racism The Red Card' and 'Kick It Out'.

Andrew Watson certainly sounds like an interesting subject worthy of more attention.

Nah, this is a wind up isn't it. That's Sacha Baron Cohen.

Ali G 'is it cause i is black'?

Wasn't Bill Perry that wonderfully skillful Blackpool left winger and scorer of the winning goal in the famous 1953 final considered a 'Cape Coloured' and first coloured player to play for England.

Had it not been for Tom Finney I'm sure he would have won more than the few England caps he did.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I think all the people debating Wharton’s colour are thoroughly missing the point. His father was mixed race as we know it, that he has Scottish blood from this aspect his heritage is neither here nor there. Here is a man of colour achieving great things in a then non-multicultural Britain. That is what is being recognised here.

Ditto Lewis Hamilton, people are still complaining about him being referred to as the first black F1 champion. Yes he is mixed White/Black but how many white champions has F1 produced in comparison to black? it's a ratio of like ALL to 1, so what would be the media’s motivationino concentrating solely on his or Obama’s white heritage instead, and where would that take us as a society?

To my mind in these instances the media are 100% correct in focusing on the achievement of these men of colour where before there was none in (F1 for example) as opposed to attempting to portray them in any other light.

#67 Its all about divide and conquer;) People forget that the term black itself when used to describe people of an African heritage was coined as a front of solidarity against racism which often seeks to divide by sub-dividing (as apartheid formalised). Black isn't a description of colour or even direct parentage more a means of reinforcing pride and identity in people's African roots which is directly and indirectly targeted by racism.

Good read.i,m kenyan and i always believe racism is a white man,s disease.in kenya we,re very appreciate of 'white'kenyans for example our famous kenyan swimmers,the
Dunfords.i actually feel quite weird using the word white.all in all...good piece of history

He pre dates the great Walter Tull,whose achievements arguably far exceed Wharton's. I think people get over heated about the appaling racism of the 50's 60's and 70's and blithely assume it must have been worse back then.There were certainly establishment barriers(they too applied to working class people),but have a read of Victorian books like 'Redburn' by Herman Melville who comments (in 1855) how the black sailors the ship he came to Liverpool from New York with were able to openly go around Liverpool with a white girl on their arm or go to any eatery and be served-a far contrast from 'The Land of the Free' where even in 'liberal'New York they (the black sailors) would have been lynched for' such audacities'. Britain has always been pretty good-and I don't deny the racism that does go on-but the anti race industry does go OTT at times and creates tensions where none existed(ie are part of the problem).In Spain and mainland Europe its still "hilarious" to black up and abuse black F1 sportsmen(remember it?).No one would even think of that here and would be angrily osracised if they did.
As for mixed race(like Wharton).....then Viv Anderson then WASN'T the first black player to play for England. That prize goes to (mixed race) Paul Reaney in the late 60's.

Who was the first professional footballer? Would that not be a bigger achievement?

People continue whining that there is "no room for racism in the modern world". yet we have "the first black / first white" to do whatever. We get reminded when any sportsman is "black" but never when he/she is "white". We have associations open only to "blacks"but do not (the world would scream "racism") associations open only to whites.

Then we have people who argue about just how "black" a person is, as if it matters. If there is a distinction, then surely just one drop of "black blood" (I always thought everyone - even blue blooded Royals - actually had red blood) would make someone "black".

This does not make it a bad/irrelevant article - only the "black" part is. The rest is pretty darned good.

What a versatile sportsman Mr Wharton was. An amazing talent. Thank you for sharing his story with us. Made interesting reading.

When I grew up my dad said that this bloke was coming to work for us. "He is from the Black Country". He said.
When he arrived I was surprised to see that he was white!
We lived in Bournemouth and all became clear when he started to speak.
No-one could understand a word that he said!
I guess that racism is all a question of perspective.
He was obviously a foreigner!

Not a forgotten Pioneer here in Preston, and I'm sure we'd be happy to have his statue outside the ground if that's where they deem to place it. Indeed he already features on PNE themed buses. However, have to agree with some of the comments that 'celebrating' the achievements of people just for being black or mixed race is probably counter productive.

Footballers should be remembered for being great, like Tom Finney, not because of the colour of their skin. As a Liverpool fan, I will always remember John Barnes with the same fondness as I do Robbie Fowler.....however Djimi Traore will probably be long forgotten along with Sean Dundee (at least in on the pitch terms).

utebog...ar bist ya kid?

davidcbillington... I rest my case!
I dont care what colour you are. TALK TO ME!!!!
I am brown because I play golf in Australia in summer.
I aint going to show you the white bits!

For all those interested in the story of Andrew Watson, the University of Glasgow has a biography about him as he was a student at the University in 1875. Please see his entry on the .

... and talking of Glasgow - don't forget Celtic's first black player - the Jamaican Gil Heron (father of the brilliant musician and precurser of rap - Gil Scott-Heron). By the way David Goldblatt mentions Arthur Wharton in his masterly book on the history of world football - the Ball is Round.
fradeb

wow, what an inspiring history of a true Legend. Credit to all those who have made this possible.
This is a complete example to how great people in past and present have been denied their due recognition. As a result, too many people are astrayed due to the lack of true inspirators. All we are left with is bunch of made up and self professed icons.

Is Rio Ferdinand black? That seems a stretch.

Jesus the Teddy Bear wrote:

"I know its off topic on what is a good blog, but the whole Hale Berry thing about her being a Black pioneer really annoys me.

They hype it because she was the first black Oscar winner, when in fact it was Whoopi Goldberg for her role in Ghost (

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The first black oscar winner was Hattie McDaniel who won it in 1939 for her role in 'Gone with the Wind'. Fact the rest is of course opinion.

If people of mixed heritage like Halle Berry, Rio Ferdinand etc. regard themselves as black then thats fine for me. It's funny how many people are now quibbling whether mixed race people should be allowed to regard themselves as black now that there are so many mixed race people visibly succeeding. The white community didn't appear to want to 'own' them when their success was less visible as Madness once alluded to.