Footballer Jack Leslie's cap comes to Plymouth Argyle

The cap was presented to Jack's granddaughters by the FA in March

An FA cap, posthumously awarded to legendary black footballer Jack Leslie, is to be presented to Plymouth Argyle.

The Football Association presented the cap to Jack's family in March, to recognise the adversity he faced in the 1920s because of his skin colour.

Jack's family will now pass the cap on to Argyle, the club he captained and where he scored 137 goals.

His granddaughters will present the cap on the pitch at half-time, in the club's home fixture against Swansea.

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

The cap will be accepted by former Argyle star Ronnie Mauge and put on permanent display in the club's Jack Leslie Boardroom.

Jack's granddaughters, Lesley, Lyn and Gill feel Argyle is the right place for the cap.

'Standing ovation'

"The campaign to recognise our granddad has meant so much to the whole family and to have the support of so many people after so long is mind-blowing," they said.

"When granddad returned to Plymouth Argyle as a guest of honour in 1965, he got a standing ovation from the thousands of fans who remembered and loved him.

"So, the three of us knew that the cap had to come here.

"We are proud to present his cap to be displayed at Home Park where our grandad became a hero."

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The FA said the retraction of his call-up in 1925 "should never have happened".

A statue to honour Jack Leslie was erected at the Plymouth Argyle ground in October 2022

Jack Leslie Campaign co-founders Greg Foxsmith and Matt Tiller said: "For the FA to accept that Jack was the first black player to be selected for England and to recognise that it was the colour of his skin that put an end to his chances was a massive step.

"And for Jack's family who have carried that injustice with them all these years to now bring the cap here to Plymouth is a wonderful gesture.

"We are proud of them, the club, the Green Army and Jack."