Sheffield United has its own link to Black history

In today's column, Zach Beeden talks about Arthur Wharton as part of Black History Month.

During Black History Month we commemorate the history of Black people in the world by celebrating their legacies and recognising their fight against oppression and to achieve equality.

Sheffield United has its own link to Black history.

Arthur Wharton is widely regarded to be the world’s first Black professional footballer. Listed as a goalkeeper and a winger, Wharton saw his professional career begin at Rotherham Town, before he signed for the Blades in 1894. Despite playing second fiddle to the famous William 'Fatty' Foulke, Wharton still made three appearances for United, with one being a first division game against Sunderland. In doing this, Wharton became the first Black footballer to play in England’s top division.

Wharton has since been commemorated outside St George’s Park in Burton, where a statue of him was unveiled in 2014. His legacy is also celebrated just down the road at the U-Mix Centre, where an Arthur Wharton archive has been created by ‘Football Unites Racism Divides’.