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Arthur Wharton
| Category: | Male Player |
| Year Inducted: | 2003 |
Profile by Robert Galvin, the author of The Football Hall of Fame, the official book of the National Football Museum Hall of Fame:
Arthur Wharton, the first black professional in English football, was goalkeeper for the best team in the country in the 1880s, and the fastest sprinter in the world to boot.
An all-round sportsman who also played professional cricket, Wharton played in goal in 1886-87 as an amateur for Preston North End, soon to be known universally as ‘The Invincibles', and the first club to openly embrace the payment of players.
His agile, athletic performances during the late 1880s prompted calls from the Northern Echo newspaper, based in Darlington, for his inclusion in the England team for the annual fixture against Scotland. The Football Association, however, overlooked his claims.
Though perhaps influenced by the discriminatory racial beliefs that were prevalent in Victorian society during the latter half of the 19 th century, the selectors may also have been concerned about Wharton's eccentric behaviour at times between the sticks.
The Football News and Athletic Journal once described him as a ‘skylark', referring to his favourite tricks, which included grabbing the tape crossbar so that shots missed the target, catching the ball between his legs, and dumping onrushing forwards into the net.
On the positive side, Wharton was brave, skilful and very quick, as proved by his world record time of 10 seconds flat for the 100 yards dash at the AAA national athletics championships in July 1886. Courage was a prerequisite; in the 1880s forwards were allowed to shoulder charge the goalkeeper, whether he was in possession of the ball or not.
Born into the ruling class in Ghana in 1865, Wharton was sent to England as a teenager in order to train as a Methodist minister. Religion bored him, however, and he opted instead for a sporting life at the age of 17. A footballer during the winter, he earned additional income as a professional sprinter or cricketer in summer.
In 1886-87, Wharton played in all six of Preston North End's ties in the FA Cup, helping the club reach the semi-finals. On the way the team conceded only four goals, three of which came in the defeat to West Bromwich Albion. The Cup-run turned out to be the highlight of his career. The Northern Echo newspaper described him as ‘one of the most capable goal-custodians in the country', and a player who ‘is undoubtedly deserving of a place in any international team'.
Following the founding of the Football League in 1888, Wharton played briefly as a professional for Sheffield United.
His personal appeal as a footballer won over supporters. Later in his career, in 1896, whilst playing for Stalybridge Rovers in the Lancashire League, one newspaper reported that he was ‘lionised' by the majority of supporters for his antics. The team even became known as ‘Wharton's Brigade'.
As the Athletic News newspaper stated after one Cup tie: ‘Wharton is, indeed, a born goalkeeper; he never loses his head, and his hands are always in readiness. His was one of the best exhibitions of goalkeeping I have seen for a long time.'