THE story of the unveiling of a statue immortalising a footballing pioneer with roots in the region featured in England's official matchday programme at the weekend.
Arthur Wharton, the world's first black professional footballer, who once played for Darlington, was last month honoured with a 16ft statue at St George's Park, the English game's training headquarters.
The unveiling attracted widespread media attention and was attended by famous footballing faces including former Newcastle United striker Les Ferdinand, ex-Middlesbrough assistant manager Viv Anderson and former Magpies boss Chris Hughton.
An article about the unveiling featured in the official matchday programme for England's European championships qualifier against Slovenia on Saturday (November 15).
The statue was a joint project between the FA and the Darlington-based Arthur Wharton Foundation.
Foundation chairman Arthur Wharton has led a long campaign to ensure Wharton's contribution to the game is recognised.
England won Saturday's match 3-1, with a penalty from Wayne Rooney and two goals from Danny Welbeck serving to cancel out an earlier own goal by former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.
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