Jack Leslie's cap presented to Plymouth Argyle

Jack Leslie's cap presented to Plymouth Argyle
News Desk

By News Desk


Published: 08/10/2023

The family of legendary black footballer Jack Leslie say they feel honoured after presenting his FA cap to Plymouth Argyle.

The cap was posthumously awarded to Leslie's family in March in recognition of the adversity he faced in the 1920s because of his skin colour.

His granddaughters said the cap was a symbol of a "wrong being righted".

They feel Argyle - the club Jack captained and where he scored 137 goals - is its rightful home.

It was accepted by former Argyle star Ronnie Mauge during a ceremony beside Jack's statue at Home Park.

Leslie was the first black player to be called up for England in 1925, but his name disappeared from the team sheet because of his skin colour.

Mauge told those gathered at the ceremony Leslie's story was "hard to fathom".

"It's remarkable, you still can't believe it, but it's happened," he said.

"We're here to celebrate because he's part of Argyle history, he's part of our family and we're so proud to bring him home."

Jack Leslie's capIMAGE SOURCE,FA
Image caption,
The cap was presented to Jack's granddaughters by the FA in March

'Long while coming'

Granddaughter Lesley Hiscott, who was named after Leslie, said her grandfather would be taken aback.

"This cap means everything to us," she said.

"We feel that the best place for this to be is at the club he loved playing for, so we're very honoured to hand this over into Plymouth Argyle's keeping."

Lyn Davies, another granddaughter, added: "It's been a long while coming and we wish granddad was here to see it.

"To us it's a symbol of a wrong being righted."

Matt Tiller, co-founder of the Jack Leslie Campaign, praised Leslie's family for the "incredible gesture".

The cap will be put on permanent display in the club's Jack Leslie Boardroom.

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