A blue plaque for Arthur Wharton, the best all-round athlete you've never heard of

Arthur Wharton is far from being a household name, but his fans say his name should be shouted from the rafters. More than a century ago he was the outstanding sportsman of his generation: a world record-breaking runner; a superb cricketer; and England's first black professional footballer.

- Mark Brown

"He was a trailblazer, an inspiration," said the former Chelsea player Ken Monkou. "We follow in his footsteps... there wouldn't be a Usain Bolt; there wouldn't be me, John Barnes and Brendon Batson. He laid the foundation. He put the crumbs out."

Wharton was celebrated yesterday by the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham, whose football team he joined as a professional in 1889.

A plaque organised by Rotherham Civic Society celebrating his life and career was unveiled by Wharton supporters including Monkou and another former Chelsea player, David Speedie.

It was unveiled at Rotherham Titans rugby club, 134 years to the day that Wharton played his first game there at the then home of Rotherham Town.

Shaun Campbell, of the Arthur Wharton foundation, said his story should be more widely known and welcomed the plaque. "You've got the greatest all-round sportsman the world has ever seen and he was here in Rotherham. Don't let him slip through your fingers."

Monkou said Wharton's achievements were just ridiculous. "Forget about his race, what he achieved as a person, as a professional footballer, athlete, cricket player ... you could not make it up."