On the antiques road show today they visited the Northampton football club ground to learn about a man called Walter Tull. His father was an immigrant from Barbados who married an English lady. At the age of eight Walter and his brother became orphans when his parents died. Walter played football for the orphanage and later signed for Clapton football club. He joined Tottenham who paid TEN pounds transfer fee, he was only the second black player to play English league football and the first outfield player he played midfield. when Tottenham played at Ashton Gate he received a lot of racist abuse. He later left Tottenham after two years and joined Northampton Town FC. At the outbreak of war he joined the 1st football Middlesex regiment and rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant and in March 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross which he never received because the Army regulations of the day stated that any man was quote Forbidding any Negro or Person of colour from being promoted to an officers rank. Who said that racism in sport or the armed forces was new
I started going to Rovers and City matches in the early sixties. It was rare that Black or Asian players turned up in the visiting side, but if one did, they were treated to the abuse by some of the home fans.
to be honest who has said it's new? I thought it was taken as read that it was much worse in years gone by?
