Music legend Stevie Wonder and footballer George Boateng got behind the campaign to honour Arthur Wharton this week. During Wonder's 12 000 capacity gig in the Birmingham Indoor Arena he paused to welcome on stage the former Middlesbrough captain and Shaun Campbell of the Arthur Wharton foundation to publicize the campaign to see Arthur Wharton - the first black professional footballer in the world - honoured posthumously.

His is a truly remarkable story.

Stephen Appiah return to fitness has been met with sighs of relief all over Ghana. The Black Star’s inspirational capital has endured a torrid year, suffering from a debilitating knee injury that kept him from the pitch as well as problems with his club Fenerbahce. In last to last seasons Turkish league as well as the Champions League, Stephen Appiah formed a key component in a Fenerbahce team that proved a tough opponent in Europe, and won the Turkish Championship. Appiah has not enjoyed much joy since, and his recent re-emergence for the Black Stars could not have come soon enough, with Ghana somewhat stagnating since the departure of the excellent Claude Leroy. Ghana face hardship in their quest for qualification for South Africa 2010 and will need Appiah to secure their place, particularly considering the absence of Michael Essien, who has now himself pick up a serious knee injury.