The Global Race Centre for Equality Research (GRACE) at the University of Central Lancashire is supporting a charity football match in honour of Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer.
The University of Central Lancashire is to host a special exhibition football match to celebrate National Windrush Day on Saturday 22 June 2024.
The inaugural Arthur Wharton Cup football tournament will take place at The University of Central Lancashire’s Sports Arena on Tom Benson Way from 11am where the team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue will battle it out for the trophy against Windrush F.C on an all weather hockey pitch .
The exhibition match, supported by GRACE – the Global Race Centre for Equality Research at the University of Central Lancashire, is in honour of Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer who joined Preston North End as an amateur in 1886. Originally from Ghana, he played for the Invincibles from 1886 to 1888.
"Through co working with Windrush and Black footballers to come together to play this match we are acknowledging the invaluable and admirable contribution that Arthur Wharton and all Black footballers have made toward racial equality "
— Dr John Wainwright - Co-Director for the Global Race Centre for Equality (GRACE) at the University of Central Lancashire
He subsequently left Preston North End for Rotherham Town, signing a contract to play in the English Football League. In 1886, he also took the title of National 100 yards Champion in a race run by the Amateur Athletics Association, and a year later, he set a record time for cycling between Preston and Blackburn. He retired from football in 1902 and died in 1930.
There is a blue plaque in his honour at PNE’s Deepdale Football stadium.
Adrian Murrell, Director and Co-Founder of Windrush Initiatives CIC said: “We wanted to celebrate National Windrush Day in a special way this year, honouring a black sports legend, famous to Preston, whilst also encouraging exercise for all, whatever energy level, age and ability."
Dr John Wainwright, Co-Director for the Global Race Centre for Equality (GRACE) at the University of Central Lancashire said: “The Global Race Centre for Equality (GRACE) through the University of Central Lancashire are proud to work in partnership with Windrush CIC to celebrate the life of Arthur Wharton as Preston North End’s First Black footballer.
“Through co working with Windrush and Black footballers to come together to play this match we are acknowledging the invaluable and admirable contribution that Arthur Wharton and all Black footballers have made toward racial equality not only in football, but in communities and society more generally.”
The event celebrates black, mixed race and African Caribbean sporting achievements and special guests from the world of sport will be in attendance including Oshor Williams, Preston North End’s first black captain, Howard Gayle the first black footballer to play for Liverpool and Blackburn, Ken Monkou, Dutch former footballer and TV pundit, and Shaun Campbell, founder of the Arthur Wharton Foundation. Music on the day will be provided by DJ Toro, who is a regular feature at Trinidad’s carnival and the Windrush Festival.
"We wanted to celebrate National Windrush Day in a special way this year, honouring a black sports legend, famous to Preston, whilst also encouraging exercise for all, whatever energy level, age and ability."
— Adrian Murrell - Director and Co-Founder of Windrush Initiatives CIC
Undefeated Windrush United (formed in 2009) will be playing against Lancashire Fire and Rescue in their new bespoke football kit that was sponsored by Smile it’s Free Productions and The Arthur Wharton Foundation.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue are actively recruiting from the African / Caribbean community and have been working closely with Windrush Initiatives CIC for the past two years.