They're making a film about former Darlington goalkeeper Arthur Wharton, the posthumously-celebrated first black footballer in the professional game. Who might fill his boots?

David James was approached, and former Newcastle United goalie Shaka Hislop. Both had expansive hands full already.

All of which explains why Phil Haymer, a Thursday night six-a-sider and events officer with Darlington Council, is about to have greatness thrust upon him.

"My only film experience is watching them. I've a bit of a goatee beard and an Afro haircut, so I'll have to do," he says.

The ten-minute film on Wharton's time in Darlington is being made by Mike Tweddle, a friend of shop owner Shaun Campbell who has successful raised both funds and profile for a Wharton statue in the town.

"We have a very limited budget. In fact it's more or less zero," he admits.

Born in Ghana - his father half-Scottish, his mother related to the Ghanaian royal family - Wharton came to Darlington to train as a Methodist missionary, helped Quakers lift the Cleveland Challenge Cup, set a 10-second world record for 100 yards, signed for Preston North End and Sheffield United but died destitute and penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave.

"It's a fantastic story, but it was Darlington which gave him his chance," says Mike, who has also made a film about the fight to save the town's Forum music centre.

"Phil was a bit reticent at first, but he seems to be growing into it. Among the problems was the accent, with Arthur having Scottish and Ghanaian blood. Phil's wife told him he sounded like a South African Scouser, so we've told him to forget it and just talk a bit posh."

He hopes the Arthur Wharton film - "ten minutes mightn't sound much, but it takes an awful lot of making" - will be accepted for film festivals.

It will be filmed at Croft football field on November 14 - "perfect, no modern infrastructure in the background" - and at Darlington Railway Museum the following day. "They've been wonderful. They close on Mondays and are just giving us the run of the place," says Mike.

Like many more. Phil was prey to Shaun Campbell's persuasive tongue. "He's talked Stevie Wonder and a host of top-flight footballers into supporting the campaign, so who am I to say No to Shaun Campbell.

"I'm learning my lines and doing OK but I'd really rather say nothing at all."

Mike Tweddle is also looking for Victorian-style football gear, a search in which he has been greatly helped by the Durham Amateur Football Trust.

"Boots were a particular nightmare until I spoke to DAFT. I've been bowled over by how helpful they've been," says Mike.

They still need to find an old goalkeeper's kit, "longish" knickerbocker shorts and a cup similar to the Cleveland Challenge Cup.

Mike would also welcome - and will return - general Victorian clothing for spectators, potential extras and, of course, sponsors. He's at miketwed@hotmail.co.uk

The film is expected to have its premiere at the statue's unveiling later this year.

Bad news from Palermo. England have again failed to get past the qualifying stages of the world cup finals.

This is Subbuteo, little big time. England's captain Chris Thomas from Marton, Middlesbrough. We lost to Germany, Austria and Belgium though Chris himself went unbeaten, a win and two draws.

Presumably because he was half-way over the Alps, he hasn't been able to take calls. Home advantage, Italy won. More, with luck, next time.

Sportsmen have a saying, doubtless prudent, about what goes on tour staying on your. Had anything remotely ribald happened during Sixer's retirement railway roustabout on Saturday, it would still be in a left luggage locker on Dewsbury station.

Since it didn't, it's worth recording Mr Peter Malkin's memories of the days when tobacco companies were allowed to sponsor sport without everyone having a choking fit.

It was the early 1970s and Rothman's not only sponsored the Northern League and several others - including the Channel Islands league - but heavily financed the inter-leagues cup.

Peter played for Evenwood Town who'd beaten First Tower of Jersey en route to the final and who anxiously awaited the outcome of Tow Law's semi-final against Vale Rec of Guernsey.

"No offence to Tow Law, but we really fancied a trip to Guernsey," says Pete. It didn't happen. Tow Law won and the final, a little less exotically, was at Shildon. "To top it all," he adds, "we were beaten 3-0."

No need for trips to the Channel Islands, former Tow Law man Brian Wake finds himself playing in the north of Sweden. Though Tow Law's less than tropical, he's finding it hard to acclimatise.

"I couldn't believe how cold it was," he tells a Swedish football website. "To be fair I don't even think I saw the worst of it," since I arrived after most of the other guys. It's a beautiful country, though."

Wake left Tow Law for Gretna during the Scottish club's glory days, has played for Hamilton Academical, Greenock Morton and Carlisle and now spearheads Ostersund FK's promotion drive from the Swedish fourth tier.

He's also asked if he's tried sill, Swedish herring - "It was OK," he says, guardedly - and snus, which is Swedish snuff. "I had a couple of beers and gave it a go. It's something I wouldn't want to do on a regular basis," he says.

In Tow Law they'd say it got up his nose.

Recent mentions of Attila the Stockbroker - poet, publican, musician and Brighton and Hove Albion fan - prompt a note from Ronnie Chambers in Hartlepool. "His real name's Roy Chuter and he's a great lad," says Ronnie.

They meet before matches - used to, at least, before Brighton were promoted - were particularly grateful when Attila and friends raised a substantial sum to help Robert Collingwood, a Hartlepool youth team goalkeeper injured several years ago.

The best story, however, may concern the Stockbroker's time as editor of the Gull's Eye fanzine, when he received a libel threat and a solicitor's letter. He simply circled all the grammatical errors and misspellings and returned it with a covering note.

The note said "Illiterate drivel." He didn't hear from them again.

John Raw, another non-driver, sympathised with the account in Saturday's column of the aborted trip to the Feversham Cricket League.

John had planned a similar foray - train from Bishop Auckland to Middlesbrough, Esk Valley line to Battersby and then onward by taxi, but was alerted to a postponement when not 200 yards from his front door.

Great stalwart of King James CC in Bishop Auckland, John also spotted a family-familiar scorecard from last week's Roses match - Hogg c Bairstow b Sidebottom 30.

Kyle Hogg is the son of former Lancashire man Willie Hogg, Jonny Bairstow son of the late David Bairstow and Ryan Sidebottom, of course, is Arnie's lad.

Young Hogg is also the grandson on his mother's side of the great Sonny Ramadin - "but," sighs John, "few people are going to remember him, anyway."

Amateur photographer Tim Grimshaw has a regular "Hounds at the grounds" feature in the Northern league magazine but continues assiduously to tick off all the North-East's cricket grounds.

After all the hounds, at Cowpen Bewley, near Billingham, he came across a bit cat. Since the scoreboard's blank, it's uncertain if the mascot won his stripes.

and finally....

The only footballer to have played in the Champions League for three different London clubs (Backtrack, July 23) is William Gallas. Ralph Ord, emailing from Rio de Janeiro, was first up with the answer.

No Englishman is in the list of the top ten highest aggregate run scorers in test match history. One finally makes it at number 11. Readers are invited to name him.

Just about making the starting XI, the column returns on Saturday.