History lesson for Wolves stars
Three young brothers from Wolves’ academy turned the tables on two first team stars to tell them all about an inspirational First World War hero.
Twins Usman and Mehran Khan and their 12-year-old brother Suleman spent the afternoon with Wolves skipper Conor Coady and club record signing Adama Traore, explaining the significance of Walter Tull, one of the country's first black professional footballers who was also the first infantry officer of black heritage in the British Army.
The brothers also have an inspirational story of their own to tell – they moved to the UK from Pakistan and overcame rejection from another academy and have moved to Birmingham to pursue their dream of being professional footballers.
They signed for the Wolves academy in February and as part of their education at Wolves have been learning all about Tull ahead of Armistice Day.
Orphaned at the age of eight, Tull played for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town before enlisting with the Middlesex Regiment during the war, part of a 'footballers' battalion' that drew professional players from a range of clubs.
Despite the Manual of Military Law stating only men of ‘pure European descent’ could be officers in the army, Walter’s leadership qualities were recognised and in 1917 he became an infantry officer. He was shot and killed on March 25, 1918 and his body was never recovered.
As part of the #Tull100 campaign, a government and lottery-funded initiative that aims to use Tull's story to highlight community cohesion, Wolves future stars have been learning about his life.
Traore said: “It was fascinating learning the story of Walter Tull and really good to meet Usman, Mehran and Suleman who have already overcome so much in their lives, and illustrated how hard work and determination can help you achieve your dreams.”
Usman Khan said Tull's story was inspiring for him and his brothers.
"Walter’s story is one that is inspiring for us as we, like him, have overcome adversity, barriers and discrimination to get to where we are today," the 13-year-old said.
“Our whole family unit have moved to the UK, and then we moved from London to Birmingham so that we could follow our dream of becoming professional footballers at Wolves.
“Everyone at Wolves have been so supportive since we moved here, and it was an incredible opportunity to teach Adama and Conor the significance of Walter’s story – they both hadn’t heard of him before but really listened to us when we explained his life and what he had achieved against adversity.”
