wibble Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I would love to know more about John Walker the first black Hearts player. I think it is overlooked in most history books that this was probably the first black player in Scotland. Seems he was quite a talent too, and was signed by Liverpool from us. The lad was born in 1874 too!! Anyone know where there is more history on him? There's a wee bit here: http://www.londonhearts.com/images/jwalker.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I don't think he was the first black player in Scotland. That honour, i believe, belongs to Gil Scott Heron's dad, who used to play for Celtic. Gil Scott Heron is a total legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester™ Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I don't think he was the first black player in Scotland. That honour, i believe, belongs to Gil Scott Heron's dad, who used to play for Celtic. Gil Scott Heron is a total legend. Andrew Watson is "credited" with that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Watson_(footballer) Its on Wiki if you punch in Andrew Watson. The link does not work for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Mate, John Walker had lived and died before Gil Heron played for Celtic. John Walker would be touted all round Scotland if he had played for the OF. He didn't, so he gets no recognition whatsoever. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Heron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Walker_(footballer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Actually, I take it back, he was only the first black guy to play for Celtic, not in Scotland... Just thought for a moment that I might be wrong so did a quick search - this might be your trailblazer here - Andrew Watson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Watson_(footballer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Wow, nice one guys, all over me! After I posted I had that "hang on... is that even correct?" moment. Would be a good thing if a lot of our messageboard members had the same post-post reflex... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester™ Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Wow, nice one guys, all over me! After I posted I had that "hang on... is that even correct?" moment. Would be a good thing if a lot of our messageboard members had the same post-post reflex... How exactly am I "all over you"? I was pointing you in right direction. Next time i'll not bother with such knowledge to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 I think we'd find that John Walker was Scotland's first black professional footballer as Andrew Watson was wholly amateur from what I've read. Watson's amateur status is used by the bloody English to claim Arthur Wharton as the first British black player. I genuinely believe that John Walker should be a high profile part of Hearts history - the warrior poets would love to have the accolade:hobofish:, but this is ours. I suggest everyone emails Show Racism The Red Card on : [email protected] and gets them told that Walker deserves recognition. BTW: what is it about the name Walker and Hearts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 How exactly am I "all over you"? I was pointing you in right direction. Next time i'll not bother with such knowledge to help. Chill, pretty sure Art was being complimentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester™ Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Chill, pretty sure Art was being complimentary. Maybe. It sure doesnt sound like that though and certainly wouldnt surprise me. I suppose the debate between amateur and professional is the crux here. Watson played for Scotland and won a number of Scottish Cups. I think this was the time before players were "allowed" to call themselves professional. So while he retained amateur status, he probably could be classed as "professional". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 I would love to know more about John Walker the first black Hearts player. I think it is overlooked in most history books that this was probably the first black player in Scotland. Seems he was quite a talent too, and was signed by Liverpool from us. The lad was born in 1874 too!! Anyone know where there is more history on him? There's a wee bit here: http://www.londonhearts.com/images/jwalker.htm Actually he didnt. That was a different John Walker from what I can tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearts Heritage Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Actually he didnt. That was a different John Walker from what I can tell. There were 2 at the same time. The second was referred to as 'Darky' in those non PC days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Maybe. It sure doesnt sound like that though and certainly wouldnt surprise me. Steady Chester! wasn't meaning anything bad at all - "all over me" meant all over my error - was only impressed that you'd have clocked it straight away even before I had reposted. My knickers were, as they are generally, in a state of untwistedness. Hugs, AV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K1874M Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 There were 2 at the same time. The second was referred to as 'Darky' in those non PC days. Must have been when the SFA liked us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 There were 2 at the same time. The second was referred to as 'Darky' in those non PC days. No doubt the PC brigade on here will be up in arms over that kind of tosh. Bleeding heart pinko Vlad-loving prawn-sandwich-eating killjoys the lot of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcat Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 In the early years of their history Hearts ... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge Given these facts it seems strange that reactionary, backwards bigotted Hearts Supporters from out of town describe themselves as being more "traditional" when at the dawn of it's history Hearts seemed to be particularly progressive, liberal and family friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Vanderlay Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 In the early years of their history Hearts ... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge Given these facts it seems strange that reactionary, backwards bigotted Hearts Supporters from out of town describe themselves as being more "traditional" when at the dawn of it's history Hearts seemed to be particularly progressive, liberal and family friendly. You can't argue with that. Well not unless you're short on smarts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonjambo Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 In the early years of their history Hearts ... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge Given these facts it seems strange that reactionary, backwards bigotted Hearts Supporters from out of town describe themselves as being more "traditional" when at the dawn of it's history Hearts seemed to be particularly progressive, liberal and family friendly. Topcat You're forgetting the club being rescued from a sure demise in the early 20th Century by a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania whose father was a rabbi. GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellczech Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 No doubt the PC brigade on here will be up in arms over that kind of tosh. Bleeding heart pinko Vlad-loving prawn-sandwich-eating killjoys the lot of them. Seems somewhat strange that you would post this on a thread celebrating players whose only thing in common was that they were black Hearts players - is that not PC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonjambo Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Seems somewhat strange that you would post this on a thread celebrating players whose only thing in common was that they were black Hearts players - is that not PC? I think he was being sarcastic. GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlock Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 This has to be a mistake... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge * Having a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania whose father was a rabbi as an early board member. We're a club of rightwing, KKK, BNP, C18 etc, etc supporting racist, nazi stormtroopers. Apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brauhauser2012 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Time for this to be brought to the front again and remind people of our history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 22 minutes ago, Brauhauser2012 said: Time for this to be brought to the front again and remind people of our history. Great repost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveandal Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 On 13/10/2008 at 21:53, Sherlock said: This has to be a mistake... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge * Having a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania whose father was a rabbi as an early board member. We're a club of rightwing, KKK, BNP, C18 etc, etc supporting racist, nazi stormtroopers. Apparently. Amazing I'm quoting a post from almost 10 years ago but I feel it's relevant. We have always been a progressive liberal club. Just look at our stance on the Living Wage. Very sad a section of our support have no idea of our history yet at the same time claim to be the traditional ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marooned In Oz Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Great bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterintheRain Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 On 10/13/2008 at 21:53, Sherlock said: This has to be a mistake... * Employed the first Black professional footballer in the country * Risked their league membership by playing Hibs in defiance a sectarian boycott. * Admitted ladies free of charge * Having a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania whose father was a rabbi as an early board member. We're a club of rightwing, KKK, BNP, C18 etc, etc supporting racist, nazi stormtroopers. Apparently. To be fair to every other club in Scotland. It was a boycott of sectarians not a sectarian boycott. The original Hibernians had a strict Catholics only policy before they died. Which is why nobody wanted the raving bigots to come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marooned In Oz Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 34 minutes ago, PeterintheRain said: To be fair to every other club in Scotland. It was a boycott of sectarians not a sectarian boycott. The original Hibernians had a strict Catholics only policy before they died. Which is why nobody wanted the raving bigots to come back. Shut up you tedious ***** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidoug Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 On 14/10/2008 at 05:04, 12august1893 said: There were 2 at the same time. The second was referred to as 'Darky' in those non PC days. Without checking, I'm pretty sure that when Standard Liege knocked us out of the European Cup their star, marquee player was known as Bongo Bongo, King of the Congo. Not sure how non p c that is, if at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 1 hour ago, PeterintheRain said: To be fair to every other club in Scotland. It was a boycott of sectarians not a sectarian boycott. The original Hibernians had a strict Catholics only policy before they died. Which is why nobody wanted the raving bigots to come back. Oh Jesus Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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