Subject(s): Jack Leslie Sport: Football Location: Plymouth Argyle FC, Home Park, Plymouth, Devon Unveiled: 7/10/2022 Sculptor: Andy Edwards Material: Bronze Status: In Situ Inscription(s): Inscribed on plinth, side 1: JACK LESLIE Inscribed on plinth, side 2: ARGYLE LEGEND. Jack Leslie was signed from Barking Town by Plymouth manager Bob Jack in 1921. Argyle finished runners-up in the Third Division South six times in the 1920s when only one team was promoted. The Pilgrims toured South America in 1924, even beating Argentina and Uruguay. In 1930, Plymouth were finally crowned champions. Jack was made club captain and led his team to fourth in Division Two, Argyle's highest finish at that time. Jack forged a partnership with Sammy Black that brought them fame across the country and they became the fourth and first highest scorers in Plymouth Argyle history. An eye injury brought his glittering career to a premature end in 1934, but with 137 goals in 400 appearances Jack Leslie already was, and remains, a club legend. With thanks to Plymouth Argyle Football Club for its unwavering support. [image of Leslie and Black]. Inscribed on plinth, side 3: THE ENGLAND CALL UP. On October 5th 1925 Jack Leslie became the first Black player to be selected for England. But within days he was quietly dropped due to the colour of his skin. While England drew 0-0 against Ireland on 24th October 1925 Jack scored twice for Plymouth in a 7-2 victory. He was never given his chance again despite national press stating he was international class. When Viv Anderson became the first Black player to win a full England cap in 1978, Jack was interviewed by The Daily Mail… “Everybody in the club knew about it. The town was full of it. All them days ago it was quite a thing for a little club like Plymouth to have a man called up for England. I was proud, but then I was proud just to be a paid footballer. Then all of a sudden everyone stopped talking about it. Sort of went dead quiet. Didn’t look me in the eye.” - Jack Leslie. With thanks to The Football Association for its acknowledgement and support. [image of Leslie scoring a goal for Plymouth]. Inscribed on plinth, side 4: THE BOOT ROOM. Jack Leslie was born in Canning Town in 1901. When his playing career ended, Jack and his wife Lavinia briefly ran a pub in Cornwall. They returned to East London and Jack to his trade as a boilermaker. Retirement didn’t suit Jack, so when West Ham United manager Ron Greenwood called him up, he took his chance. For fifteen years Jack tended the boots of club legends including its three World Cup winners. “At the time I played it was tough, but finding out what Jack had to go through, I’m sure it was a lot harder. It makes you a different individual when you have to face that.” - Clyde Best. “Jack was a lovely guy who would do anything for you. Incredibly, none of us, me, Geoff Hurst or Bobby Moore included, knew he was a player! Jack never mentioned it. That was how humble he was.” - Sir Trevor Brooking. With thanks to West Ham United Football Club for its support. [image of Leslie cleaning boots]. Links: Sculptor Project