A national blue plaque to honour the life and career of John ‘Jack’ Leslie was unveiled this month at his former home in Plymouth by Historic England.
The first Black footballer to captain a Football League team, Leslie scored 137 goals in 401 appearances as a striker for Plymouth Argyle and remains a legend at Home Park.
The new blue plaque was unveiled at 8 Glendower Road, Peverell, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 4LA, where he lived with his family during the heyday of his career with the Pilgrims.
This unveiling not only marks Leslie’s footballing talent but also celebrates the 100th anniversary year of his call-up as a reserve for the England squad in October 1925.
Though this honour was rescinded shortly afterwards, it is thought on the grounds of racial prejudice, Leslie’s resilience in continuing to excel at Plymouth Argyle FC and his significance in the history of English football has more recently been acknowledged and celebrated.
Leslie’s family received a posthumous England cap in 2022, when it was recognised that retraction of his call-up should never have happened and that Leslie's career, contribution to our game and wider society meant it was right this historical wrong.
The inscription on the plaque reads: JOHN ‘JACK’ LESLIE; 1901 – 1988; Captain of Plymouth Argyle FC and the first Black footballer selected for England lived here.’
The unveiling was led by Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson, alongside Jack Leslie’s granddaughters Lesley Hiscott, Gillian Carter and Lyn Davies.
Today, both the city of Plymouth and the club remain hugely proud of Jack, as evidenced by the fact that The Jack Leslie Campaign (a crowdfunded campaign) succeeded in raising £140,000 to erect a bronze statue to him outside Home Park stadium in October 2022. The new national blue plaque amplifies this proud legacy and aims to inspire people to find out more about Leslie’s achievements.
Jack Leslie’s granddaughters Lesley Hiscott, Gillian Carter and Lyn Davies said: “We feel honoured as members of Jack Leslie's family that a blue plaque is being unveiled in recognition of his achievements. Our grandad made a major contribution to the history of not only football but the integration of black people into our communities. He was a true trailblazer, and we will always be immensely proud of him.”
The national blue plaque scheme, run by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) tells the stories of inspirational people - from all walks of life - who have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness, throughout history.
