The Jack Leslie Campaign

YOU DID IT... !!! JACK'S STATUE NOW STANDS OUTSIDE HOME PARK. 

And to top that, the FA finally recognised Jack as the first black footballer to be selected for England and that he was denied the opportunity to play for his country due to the colour of his skin. His family was awarded with a Posthumous Honorary Cap in March 2023 and it has since been presented to Jack's club, Plymouth Argyle. 

The campaign continues to tell Jack's story in schools, football clubs and academies to combat racism and celebrate diversity. Please get in touch if you would like us to come and talk to your school or organisation, or would like to support us.

Jack's family, campaigners and supporters with his posthumous honorary cap at the statue outside Plymouth Argyle's Home Park.

Greg Foxsmith, Matt Tiller, Lesley Hiscott, Lyn Davies, Andrew Parkinson and Ronnie Mauge on the Home Park pitch. 

Why Jack Leslie's story needs telling:

Nearly 100 years ago Jack Leslie should have been pulling on an England football shirt and making history. But he was denied because of his race. It’s time for us recognise this remarkable player’s achievements and learn from his story.                               

You can read https://jackleslie.co.uk/jack/ for the full story and more about his life and buy his new biography, The Lion Who Never Roared, which is out 23 October: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/lion-who-never-roared

Jack Leslie’s reputation as a goal creator and scorer for Plymouth Argyle spread across the country and he was picked to play for England against Ireland in 1925. Jack was told by his manager and it was reported in the local and national press. He was elated. But within days Jack’s name had disappeared from the team sheet and the incident was brushed under the carpet. One national reporter towards the end of Jack’s career said, “Had he been white he would have been a certain English international.” Jack scored 137 goals in 401 appearances for Argyle from 1921-34 and became club captain, leading the team to a cup victory against Manchester United. 

Jack’s family have embraced the campaign and the book wholeheartedly. His granddaughter, Lyn, says, 'My sisters, Lesley, Gill and I remember Jack as a wonderful grandad who looked after us and told us funny stories. We and the wider family are delighted that he is now being recognised for the sporting achievements he was so modest about.’ 

Jack's Legacy

Jack Leslie was well loved in Plymouth and the wider football community. In his later years he was a boot boy at West Ham... cleaning the leathers of World Cup winners. He received a standing ovation when he returned to Plymouth in the sixties but in the years to follow Jack's story faded into history. Now, his legacy is more widely known and we want to ensure this continues. 

Who are we?

We are a group of committed football fans whose aim is to share their passion for Jack's story in Plymouth and nationwide and create a fitting legacy at last. Please support our campaign with a donation. You can find out more about The Jack Leslie Campaign, its aims, the team and its supporters here: https://jackleslie.co.uk/

And, finally... some video treats!

We caught up with the legend that is Viv Anderson, the first black footballer to play for the full, senior England international side in 1978. It was a real honour to talk to him about Jack Leslie...

And, here's the brilliant zoom chat we had with West Ham legend, Clyde Best, Jack's granddaughters and some key supporters. Clyde was the club's only black player at the time, but Jack Leslie cared for his boots....