BLUE PLAQUE FOR A BLACK HERO

The Yorkshire Post, our local daily paper, had a news item today concerning an appeal made by local football supporters in South Yorkshire, who want to erect a "blue plaque" at the former home of Arthur Wharton, the "world's" first black footballer, a goalkeeper. Arthur lived at Clifford Street, Moorthorpe, Pontefract.

The links below will tell you more than enough about Arthur and his life in England, having migrated from the Gold Coast (Ghana now) and he played for Darlington, Preston, Rotherham and both Sheffield clubs in the 1880s.

He stood up to racism, he became the world's fastest athlete in the 100 yard dash and was buried in an unmarked grave after disappearing from public life. The previous blogs tell of the 16 foot statue erected by the FA at St George's Park, Burton and NOW, Matthew Thomas, a Moorthorpe local, set up a fund to raise money for this plaque, backed by anti-racism charities. (I can't see how much money will be needed for this??) Enjoy the read and spare a thought for Arthur and the disgraceful racism that emanates from Russian football fans  in the 21st Century!
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/footballs-first-black-footballer.html
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/viv-whizz.html