ONE DARLINGTON JANUARY 2021

Council to honour
sporting pioneer
The council has committed to naming a street
in a future housing development in honour of
a sporting trailblazer with strong links to the
town.
Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional
footballer, played for Darlington in the 1880s.
He was also the world’s fastest man – becoming the
first to run 100 yards in exactly ten seconds.
The Arthur Wharton Foundation, which aims to
preserve his legacy, is based in the town.
A bronze statue of the former goalkeeper was
installed at the FA headquarters at St George’s Park,
in Staffordshire back in 2014.
As part of Black History Month last year, a stunning
mural of Arthur Wharton was unveiled in the Denes.
The council has added its own tribute by pledging
to name a street after Arthur on an upcoming
development of council homes.
Shaun Campbell, founder of the Arthur Wharton
Foundation, welcomed the news.
He said: “Arthur Wharton’s influence, on both
football and society, can never be overstated. The
slogan of the Foundation is Connecting the Present,
to the Past, for the Future.
“I am pleased to hear the council has made a
commitment to honour Arthur Wharton in this way.”
Watch this space for full details of the development where Arthur Wharton's street will be
www.darlington.gov.uk one Darlington 31