BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : ENGLAND FIRST BLACK FOOTBALLER " ARTHUR WHARTON " WAS BORN IN GHANA IN 1865 THEN CALLED GOLD COAST CAME TO ENGLAND TO TRAN AS A MISSIONARY : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

BLACK               SOCIAL              HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            England's first black footballer

By JOHN EDWARDS  

It represents a step into the unknown for many Ghana players, but facing England at Wembley pales into insignificance alongside the pioneering exploits of an ancestor whose memory will be honoured by the side of the pitch before kick-off on Tuesday night.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan's evocative description of England's former links with his homeland perhaps explains the heightened sense of anticipation among his countrymen as he prepares to set foot on Wembley's turf for the first time.

Leading the way: Wharton played professionally in England 120 years ago

If it stirs memories of a bygone age, the clock will be turned back further at around 7pm by a presentation to mark the impact over 120 years ago of the world's first black professional footballer, Arthur Wharton.

Born in Ghana in 1865, when it was known as the Gold Coast, he sailed to Britain as a trainee missionary but sensed a different vocation after winning the Amateur Athletic Association's 100-yard sprint at Stamford Bridge in a world record 10 seconds.

A multi-talented sportsman, football became his main interest and he was Preston's goalkeeper in the year before their unbeaten 1888-89 season. He was also understudy to the celebrated William 'Fatty' Foulke at Sheffield United, and played for Darlington.

Wharton was hardly the most conventional shot stopper, as TH Smith noted in the Sheffield Telegraph & Independent on January 12, 1942.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GHANA

1 They're on a high... 

Only six years ago Ghana had plummeted to 89th in the world rankings, but they are now up to the giddy heights of 16th - just two places shy of their 2008 peak. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. 

2 They've had more coaches than Real Madrid... 

Since 2000, the Black Stars have had an astonishing 15 coaches - seven of them from Ghana and three from Serbia, including current boss Goran Stevanovic. He won his first competitive match in Africa on Sunday, beating Congo 3-0 in qualifying for next year's Africa Cup of Nations. 

3 They had 'Pele' too... 

Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, to be precise. He scored 33 goals in 73 appearances - more than anyone else in the national shirt. He retired 11 years ago but Ghana fans still chant his name. so, should england be worried? England have never played Ghana but the omens are good for the hosts because they have never lost to an African country. In 16 games, England have won 11 and drawn five.

'In a match between Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday at Olive Grove I saw Wharton jump, take hold of the crossbar, catch the ball between his legs and cause three onrushing forwards… to fall into the net. I have never seen a similar save since and I have been watching football for over 50 years.'

When Wharton died in 1930, he was buried in an unmarked grave, but a campaign to recognise his achievements, led by his grand-daughter Sheila Leeson, the Football Unites Racism Divides group and the Arthur Wharton Foundation, has gathered pace.

His grave now has a headstone, and the FA have marked tonight's visit of Ghana by arranging for Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson to join Sir Trevor Brooking for a ceremony to honour his memory.

They will present Mrs Leeson, Wharton's oldest living relative at 79, with a 3ft version of a statue due to be unveiled in Darlington in September.

Football Unites Racism Divides spokesman Howard Holmes believes the timing is perfect. 'Racism seems to have reared its head a couple of times recently, yet this reminds people there was a black player in at the inception of professional football in this country,' he said.

'Arthur played for Preston the season before they became founding members of the Football League. It seems incredible to think he was here, as an African player in English football, over 120 years ago.

'His was a riches to rags story. His mother was a member of the Gold Coast royal family, and they paid for him not only to come to England but to be educated privately. He was supposed to train as a missionary but soon realised he was an exceptional athlete. It was unheard of to run the 100 yards in 10 seconds flat.

'You might have thought he was tailor-made to play on the wing. He would have preferred an outfield position but ended up being not only a capable goalkeeper but a brave one.

'There was no protection for keepers in those days. They were barged and buffeted, so Arthur's response was to develop the most spectacular punch of his era. He could punch the ball to the halfway line and beyond.

'He really was a character, and the fact that Sheila's daughter and grandaughter have also been invited to Wembley should make it a special occasion.'