Plymouth Argyle and Home Park was the focus of massive media attention in October when the statue of former player Jack Leslie was unveiled at a special ceremony attended by hundreds of people.
Jack Leslie should have been England’s first black player when he was named in the squad to play Ireland in 1925. But when the selectors discovered his heritage, his name mysteriously disappeared from the team sheet.
Jack went on to make 400 appearances for Argyle, scoring 137 goals, winning promotion and being appointed club captain.
After leaving Argyle in the mid- 30s he later went on to spend over 15 years as the boot-boy for West Ham United, ensuring the likes of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Trevor Brooking had perfectly-prepared and polished boots for their matches.
Gill Photos: GreensonScreen/Matt Ellacott Photography
In the light of Jack’s unjust treatment a Crowdfunder campaign to honour Jack was launched by two lifelong Argyle supporters, lawyer Greg Foxsmith and musician Matt Tiller. The campaign, to see a statue of Jack installed at Home Park, caught the attention of football fans and organisations all over Plymouth, as well as the rest of the UK. The target of £100,000 was reached in just six weeks.
Since then, together with a committee of volunteers, Plymouth Argyle and Jack Leslie’s three granddaughters Lyn, Lesley and Gill, the campaign organisers Greg and Matt have worked tirelessly to bring the statue project to fruition.
Leading sculptor Andy Edwards – who previously created statues of football and music legends, such as The Beatles, Bob Marley, Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough – was commissioned to create the 12 feet tall bronze statue.
Fittingly during Black History Month, the statue was unveiled on October 7 by Jack’s granddaughters in a ceremony attended by around 40 members of Jack’s family, Argyle ambassador Ronnie Mauge, West Ham ambassador Carlton Cole and the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth.
Carlton Cole said:
“It was an honour to attend the unveiling of the Jack Leslie Statue at Home Park and to represent West Ham United in paying tribute.
“For all Black footballers, Jack is a true pioneer. His story is incredible, moving from Barking Town to Plymouth Argyle in an outstanding playing career, before returning to East London and working at West Ham United, a club that has always had diversity embedded throughout – something that makes me extremely proud.
“It is so sad that Jack was denied the chance to play for his country due to the colour of his skin, but today shows how far we have come in sport and society, and Jack would be so proud of this moment.”
Argyle’s first team squad were present at the event, along with dozens of invited guests and local schoolchildren.
The unveiling was filmed by BBC and ITV, along with other broadcasters.
Features about the campaign and Jack’s statue were broadcast on national radio and TV, including BBC News, Football Focus and The One Show.
And the ‘icing on the cake’ for Jack’s family came with the announcement at the ceremony that he had been awarded a posthumous England cap by the FA.
