Jack Leslie: Family of the first Black footballer to receive an England call-up presented with posthumous honorary cap by FA

Jack Leslie was called up to the England squad in 1925, but denied an appearance because of the colour of his skin; the Football Association presented his family with a posthumous honorary cap, 98 years after he was called up, before England's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine

Image: Jack Leslie made 400 appearances for Plymouth Argyle

The family of Jack Leslie, the first Black player to receive an England call-up, have been presented with a posthumous honorary cap by the Football Association.

The inside-left, who scored 137 goals in 400 appearances for Plymouth between 1921 and 1934, was called up to the national team in 1925, but denied an England appearance because of the colour of his skin, after selectors learnt about his heritage.

Leslie died in 1988 and was immortalised by a statue that was unveiled outside Argyle's Home Park stadium in October, with FA chair Debbie Hewitt later confirming Leslie last year had been posthumously awarded an England cap 97 years after he was called up.

Prior to England's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday, Leslie's family were presented with said cap.

"He faced adversity because of the colour of his skin, and was de-selected and never played for his country. This should never have happened," the FA said on Twitter on Sunday, alongside an image of the presentation.

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In a statement released in October, Ms Hewitt described Leslie as a "true football legend", who "shaped attitudes and behaviours to identify and remove discrimination from football".

Jack Leslie, the first black footballer to receive an England call-up, was honoured with a statue outside Plymouth Argyle's stadium Home Park in October 2022

"The FA is awarding Jack a posthumous honorary cap, to recognise his unique contribution and set of circumstances - and to right the historical wrong," she said.

"I had the privilege of meeting Lesley, Jack's granddaughter, at a recent international game at Wembley, where we had the opportunity to recognise the family's determination, courage and resilience to have Jack's story told and through the efforts of Lesley and her sisters Lyn and Gill, to change perceptions in football and more broadly in society.

"We have made progress in recent years to ensure that English football is more diverse and inclusive, and a game for all.

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jack and to his family for comprehensively and consistently driving positive change through football. We are pleased to support this campaign and to recognise Jack's career."

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