Just been watching my local beeb news and came across a story about a man from my hometown of Folkestone who played for Spurs. Not only that, he was the first black outfield player, and not only that, was the first black officer in the Army. His WWI heroics have never been recognised with a medal, for which there is a current campaign. These two sites give more insight... http://www.kickitout.org/612.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Tull
Should get more recognition, so I'm glad you brought him up, Notso. It's a shame that he's not more well known.
I caught part of that too, is there a program coming up about him? They seemed to be showing clips from BBC 4 but I can't see anything on the listings.
think his name was Walter Tully...He was the first black professional footballer (I think) he's my phone screen saver - think he played for us around 1910 - and he also played for Bradford ... everything I have read about him suggests he was a remarkable and brave man. Glad to hear there is a campaign to get him recognised
Not sure about a tv prog. YV, they were promoting a new book about his lifestory and making Parliament aware about the medal campaign. Google only brings up a beeb4 programme 2yrs ago, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fh1vz no doubt they repeat it. Tully???...stop being silly Colly!
ive seen the TV programme aswell...and the same issues were brought up..that he got no recognition. nice find notso
There's a lot of good footballer stories out there.I remember buying a book some years ago about footballs first superstar.Billy Meredith!
I felt compelled to write something as soon as I saw it being about my hometown. I knew about the first black player, but thats all, not his military life. The club must be aware of him, they wouldn't have organised that trophy game in the early noughties. An inspirational man, that does deserve a bit more.
I have a section for Legendary Players on my web site. I couldn't decide who to make number one, so the honour went to Walter Tull. A real hero in every sense of the word both on and off the pitch.
If I remember correctly Jimmy Seed returned to Spurs after being in the WW1 trenches and being gassed! Got a Cup Final winners medal with Spurs but was let go to another club and then got a championship medal. So,as I say,a lot of stories out there. Billy Meredith,the Georgie Best of his time! The between the wars Sunderland player who poked his fingers down his throat to make him sick before games to conquer his nerves!!!! Bert Trautmann,the German goalie who fought for Germany in WW2 in Russia before being sent to Europe,getting captured,brought to England as a prisoner of war and finally playing for Man City......and breaking his neck in the Cup Final....and playing on!Wouldn't do that today!!!!!
Luke, it hints Tull may have had to move area because of abuse, to the seemingly more tolerant midlands, Spurs could have done with his goals during that period thats for sure. You don't tar the whole of Wiki with its football info brush do you? I think its very good at the basics, its up to the user to double check data anyway isn't it?
WSC did a piece on him a couple of years back: http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/104-Race/7620-pride-and-prejudice
I saw a documentary on him a few years back. Quite a story. But as an ex-military man I actually found his military achievements as impressive as his footballing ones. The idea that a black man could have become an officer in the British Army (leading white troops in battle) in those times is utterly astonishing. There were virtually no black army officers in the second world war, let alone the first!
Spurs have made reference to Walter Tull in the matchday programme on several occasions, and if my memory is correct, there was a big article on him in the special 125 birthday souvenir programme a few years ago. Although I can't find it at the moment, there was also an article on him in one of this seasons programme. There was talk of some form of recognition to him being featured in our new stadium, although I am not sure if that is still an intention.
Afternoon SC, glad you called in here, I was hoping you may have some comment on the Clubs stance. That would be good to see some kind of memorial, a Walter Tull Suite or something similar. ps, Do you know your pm facility is disabled?
