Forgotten Heroes: The Story of the Early Black Football Pioneers

Thurs 21/10/21 10.30am – 12pm
In Sheffield May 1997 two guys were discussing a BBC Look North item about the world’s first black professional footballer, Arthur Wharton. They thought it was Leeds United’s Albert Johanneson in the 60s, yet 70 years earlier, was Arthur, the first black player in the Football League when he played for Sheffield United at Sunderland in February 1895. Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) has been uncovering and spreading the hidden stories of football’s Black Pioneers since its inception in 1995, beginning with leading a campaign to build a headstone on Arthur’s unmarked grave in 1997. The story of the first black professional and world record sprint champion, had been forgotten since his death in 1930. Arthur’s achievements prove there was a black presence at the dawn of the professional game, and we will explore his story in detail, as well as Walter Tull, Albert Johanneson and other black pioneers, many of whom were unknown outside of their club.
Enrol online