A Plaque for a Pioneering Pilgrim – Martin Polley, Sports Historian

My new blog post: A Plaque for a Pioneering Pilgrim #blueplaques #sportshistory #jackleslie #plymouth #blackhistory #historicengland martinpolley.co.uk/2025/09/01/a...

Shedding a tear for #JackLeslie but glad he's now being recognised. #PlymouthArgyle #FA #England #Racism #KickItOut #EnglandsFirst

Ian Wright is having none of this FA bullshit. Good on him. #JackLeslie

Historic England's film of the Blue Plaque to footballer Jack Leslie in Plymouth. Leslie was the first black player to be selected for England, only to be deselected on racial grounds. I was honoured to speak at the unveiling #blueplaque #jackleslie #footballhistory
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGCG...

ITV News coverage of the Historic England National Blue Plaque unveiling for Jack Leslie in Plymouth yesterday #plymouth #BluePlaques #jackleslie youtu.be/yFa2iQ8SCMg?...

Overlooked by England but regarded as a hero in Plymouth, Leslie's association with the city spanned 14 years. The national blue plaque marks the house in the city where Leslie lived together with his wife and child at the peak of his football career. The inscription reads: "JOHN 'JACK' LESLIE, 1901 – 1988, Captain of Plymouth Argyle FC and the first Black footballer selected for England lived here".

#HistoricEngland unveil #blueplaque honouring Jack Leslie 1901-1988
The talented footballer and Plymouth Argyle FC hero called up to the England squad but denied the opportunity to become the first Black man to play for his country.

#Peverell #PlymouthUK #pafc #JackLeslie

‘Bittersweet’: plaque unveiled for black footballer whose England call-up was rescinded It will be a day of mixed emotions for family of late, great Jack Leslie when ceremony is held in Plymouth

‘Bittersweet’: plaque unveiled for black footballer whose England call-up was rescinded
#KickOutRacism #Equality #Plymouth #JackLeslie

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

I'm giving a speech at the unveiling ceremony along with Jack's granddaughters. It's going to be a special day. #BluePlaques #historicengland #jackleslie #plymouth #plymouthargyle #football #commemoration

At a party, Matt Tiller heard a story that shocked him. Jack Leslie was picked for England in 1925—then dropped due to the colour of his skin. That discovery led to the Jack Leslie Campaign, raising £100K for his statue. Listen here: bit.ly/4jZkN3S 🎧 #JackLeslie #FootballHistory #Podcast