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Council to name street after sporting trailblazer

Council to name street after sporting trailblazer
06 November 2020

Darlington Borough Council has committed to naming a street in a future housing development in honour of a sporting pioneer 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 at one stage – becoming the first to run 100 yards in exactly ten seconds.

The Arthur Wharton Foundation, which aims to preserve his legacy, is based in Darlington.

Last month, as part of Black History Month, a stunning mural of Arthur Wharton was unveiled in the Denes.

A bronze statue of the former goalkeeper was installed at the FA headquarters – St George’s Park, in Staffordshire – back in 2014.

Now, the council has added its own tribute by pledging to name a street after Arthur on an upcoming development of council homes.

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Cabinet member for Health and Housing, said: “Arthur Wharton has a unique place in Darlington’s history, and I was thrilled to see so much positive attention focused on the unveiling of the mural last month.

“I am pleased that the council has now pledged to add to the tributes to Arthur Wharton by committing to name a street after him on a future housing development.

“We should all be proud of Darlington’s links with the world’s first black professional footballer, someone who was truly ahead of his time and left a fantastic legacy for the generations that have followed him.”

Shaun Campbell, Founder of the Arthur Wharton Foundation, 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.”

Exact details of the development where the street named after Arthur Wharton is to be built, will be confirmed in due course.

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