Historic England today unveiled a blue plaque in Plymouth honouring the extraordinary life of Argyle legend Jack Leslie, who made history as the first black player to captain a football league team.
The commemoration comes in the centenary year of his ground breaking England call-up in October 1925 - a selection that was infamously withdrawn, believed to be due to racial prejudice.
Leslie, who netted an impressive 137 goals in 400 appearances for Plymouth Argyle between 1921 and 1934, persevered through this injustice to build a remarkable career, and he is now finally receiving the recognition he deserves.
The plaque, installed at his former home on Glendower Road, stands as a permanent reminder of both his sporting excellence and his resilience and grace in the face of discrimination.
"Today feels like healing a wound that's been open for almost a century," said one of Leslie's granddaughters at the emotional ceremony. "Our grandad made a major contribution to the history of not only football but the integration of black people into our communities."
Slain McGough Davey, Founder of Hidden Figures of Plymouth who worked with Historic England on this project, said: “Jack Leslie was the first black football player picked to play for England, and due to the colour of his skin, he was sadly denied his place on the team and was soon dropped after selection. This much-needed recognition provides justice, pride and admiration.”
The unveiling, led by Historic England's chief executive Duncan Wilson, drew a crowd of football enthusiasts, community members, and former Argyle players who were eager to pay tribute to the man who never got to wear his England cap during his lifetime.
Two former Argyle players from the 1970s shared their thoughts on the significance of the occasion: "It's fabulous, it sets the record straight on how it should be. Back in the day he was penalised for being black," one stated. His colleague added, "It reminds people that players come and go but we have to have that moment of reflection. It's so good that Jack Leslie's story has been brought to life."
After hanging up his boots, Leslie worked at the London docks and later cleaned football boots at West Ham's Upton Park - a stark contrast to the recognition his talents deserved. In a belated acknowledgment of the historical injustice, the FA recently presented Leslie's family with a posthumous England cap, officially recognising that the original retraction "should never have happened."
The blue plaque joins the bronze statue of Leslie outside Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, which was funded by a successful £140,000 community campaign. Together, these memorials ensure that future generations will remember how Jack Leslie broke barriers in football and paved the way for the diverse game we know today.
"Who knows what would have happened had he have got to play and show his skills on the international stage," reflected one of the former players. "He's not just a massive part of the Argyle story, but of English football's journey toward inclusivity."
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