Emotional Day for Jack Leslie’s Family

Today is a blend of pride and sorrow for the family of Jack Leslie. They’re celebrating the unveiling of commemorative plaques at the Devon home where he made history as the first black player to captain a British football team. Yet, this occasion is bittersweet, marking a century since his chance to represent England was taken away from him due to the color of his skin.

Leslie Hiscott, Leslie’s granddaughter, expressed her joy to the Guardian, saying, “We can’t believe this is happening. Grandpa was a pioneer. It’s finally being recognized, but I wish he could have seen it himself.” The National Blue Plaque was installed at Glendowar Road in Plymouth, where Leslie lived during his peak years, netting 137 goals in 401 matches for Plymouth Argyle.

In 1925, the striker was named as a reserve for the English team but was replaced just days before the game, which would have made him the first black player to represent his country.

The Football Association honored Leslie posthumously in 2022, acknowledging the “historical mistakes” that contributed to his exclusion from the team and recognizing the challenges he faced due to his race.

Hiscott recalled her grandfather’s approach to adversity: “He was never bitter. He’d say that if he couldn’t play for England, he’d just score for Plymouth instead.” And score he did, hitting two goals on the day he should have been in the lineup against Ireland, despite his disappointment.

Reflecting on the plaque, Hiscott shared memories of similar past recognitions from the 1960s, recalling how Plymouth had celebrated him then. Her mother, Evelyn, often speaks of the injustice of his not playing for England, exclaiming, “Oh, my goodness, yes. She always rants about how unfair it was.”

Decades later, in 1978, Viv Anderson finally became the first black player to don the England jersey, long after Leslie’s call-up had been rescinded.

Describing her grandfather, Hiscott added, “He was fun and had the best stories. His voice had a charm that captivated us.” After hanging up his boots, Leslie ran a pub in Cornwall, later moving to East London where he worked various jobs including as a boiler maker and eventually found part-time work at West Ham United, cleaning boots and tidying up the terrace.

Paul Elliott, a former professional player and co-founder of the anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out, commended Leslie’s legacy both on and off the pitch. “This plaque symbolizes progress and keeps Jack Leslie’s remarkable story alive for future generations,” he remarked.

Jemima Lein from Plymouth City Council added, “His impact reaches far beyond football. It’s rewarding to see him finally receive the recognition he deserved.”