Lynsey Hooper from Premier League Production speaks with Shaun Campbell
St. George’s Park welcomed a TV crew from Premier League Productions earlier this week, on-site to film a feature with Shaun Campbell, founder of The Arthur Wharton Foundation.
The filming captured shots of the 16-foot statue which stands to honour Wharton and his pioneering achievements within the memorial garden at the National Football Centre, and will be shown as part of the international broadcaster’s celebrations focusing on October’s Black History Month.
The bronze replica of Wharton was installed in 2014.
The feature will be available for fans of the game around the world from the end of the month, and gave Shaun the opportunity to reflect on Arthur’s varied and impactful contributions both on the pitch and beyond football, and indeed the many other sports he excelled at, as the world’s first black professional footballer who was deeply invested in the communities in which he lived.
Designed by celebrated sculptor Vivien Mallock, the bronze replica of Wharton was installed in 2014 to stand as a lasting testament to the Ghana-born trailblazer who changed the face of sport here in England.
In 1886 Arthur became the first official fastest man when he ran a record time of 10 seconds in the 100 years, a World record which would stand for 30 years.
Beyond his life in football, Wharton also had sporting careers as a cycling champion, rugby player and professional cricketer.
You can read more about his life, and The Arthur Wharton Foundation, at www.arthurwhartonfoundation.org.
