Rotherham honours Arthur Wharton, England’s first black professional footballer
10 months in The guardian
Plaque unveiled 134 years after footballer, runner and cricketer first played for Rotherham TownArthur Wharton is far from being a household name but his fans say his name should be shouted from the rafters. More than a century ago he was the outstanding sportsman of his generation: a world record-breaking runner, a superb cricketer and England’s first black professional footballer.“He was a trailblazer, an inspiration,” said the former Chelsea player Ken Monkou. “We follow in his footsteps … [without him] there wouldn’t be a Usain Bolt, there wouldn’t be me, John Barnes and Brendon Batson. He laid the foundation. He put the crumbs out.” Continue reading...