The England men's football team visited the statue to a pioneering Darlington goalkeeper on the 10th anniversary of its installation during Black History Month.

The men's team made the trip as they were preparing to play Finland, a game they won 3-1 with goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander Arnold and Declan Rice.

Arthur Wharton, the world's first black professional footballer, spent part of his career at Darlington.

A 16ft bronze statue of the former goalkeeper was unveiled at St George's Park, the main training base for the England football teams in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire.

A spokesperson for the England team said: "At St. George's Park last week during Black History Month, our Three Lions acknowledged the 10th anniversary of the unveiling of the Arthur Wharton Statue.

"Wharton is recognised as the world's first black professional footballer and the Arthur Wharton Foundation continue to share his legacy."

Shaun Campbell, of the Darlington-based Arthur Wharton Foundation, said: “It is an absolutely wonderful way to mark the anniversary, and to think that players like Jude Bellingham, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka are now aware of Arthur’s story and his place in history is brilliant.”

Born in Ghana in the 1880s, Wharton moved to Darlington with the intention of training as a Methodist missionary, but chose instead to become a full-time athlete.

Don’t miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo for £5 for 5 months by clicking here

Most read

Middlesbrough man has admitted killing Carl James in pub

Missing Durham teen, 15, Nathaniel Waite still missing

Stable Hearth in Darlington named UK's best pizzeria

In 1886, he became the Amateur Athletic Association's 100-yard running champion, before turning to football.

As well as playing for Darlington, he had spells with Preston North End, Rotherham and Sheffield United.

He died in a workhouse sanitorium in 1930. The statue was created by acclaimed sculptor Vivien Mallock.