First black professional footballer to get statue at St George’s Park

Arthur Wharton was the first black professional footballer Credit: The FA

The world's first black professional footballer is to be memorialised as a statue at England’s St George’s Park base in Staffordshire.

Arthur Wharton became a professional footballer 125 years ago, when he signed for Rotherham United.

The Arthur Wharton Foundation, in collaboration with the FA, will unveil a full-scale, 16ft bronze statue in the grounds of the National Football Centre. It was designed and made by sculptor Vivien Mallock.

It will be part of an educational feature, as a comic, film, exhibition and a range of presentations will accompany the statue. The latter will talk about the significance of the player both historically and today.

Arthur Wharton factfile:

  • Born in Accra, Ghana, in 1865.

  • Moved to England in 1882.

  • Played for Darlington, Rotherham united, Preston North End and Sheffield United.

  • Played as a goalkeeper and also as a winger.

  • Became 100-yard sprint world record holder and world champion in 1886, with a time of 10 seconds, and the AAA Championships in London.

  • He was also a professional cricketer, cycling champion and rugby player.