A Rangers war hero has posthumously been inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.
Walter Tull was not only one of Britain’s first black footballers but also one of the first commissioned black British Army officers.
The induction is long overdue given his contribution to British football and his pioneering success which laid the groundwork for many future generations.
Although the forward moved to Ibrox in February 1917, becoming the first black player ever to sign for Rangers, he was sadly never able to play for the club.
His footballing career began at Tottenham Hotspur before he moved on to Northampton Town, where he featured in over 100 games.
Like many other fellow footballers at the time, at the outbreak of the First World War, he signed up in Britain’s fight against the Central Powers. He joined the 17th Service Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which was also known as the ‘Players’ Battalion and was sent off to fight on the frontline.
He eventually progressed to the rank of officer, which caused dismay due to the 1914 Military Law which excluded non-white men from exercising command. Tull rose above this prejudice however and continued admirably with his Army duties.
Tull never did make an appearance for Rangers Football Club. He was moved around the continent before returning to Northern France in 1918 for the spring offensive. He was sadly killed by machine-gun fire on 25th of March 1918.
Walter Tull will go down in history as the first black player to ever sign for Rangers, it is such a shame no one got to see him light up Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Alex McLeish has heaped praise on Ryan Kent.
