Camberwell writer Matt Tiller has written a book about the untold story of Jack Leslie, the first black footballer to be selected for England in 1925 but who never got to put that three lions shirt on because of his colour.
Jack Leslie was born in Canning Town to a Jamaican father and a white, English mother and began his career at Barking Town FC before joining Plymouth Argyle as a professional in 1921.
For most of his career he was the only black professional and was the first to be appointed captain of a Football League side. Sadly, he is now known for the honour he should have won: being selected for England in 1925 then quietly dropped due to the colour of his skin and never allowed to represent his country.
Matt Tiller’s The Lion Who Never Roared tells that story in detail and his remarkable life from childhood in East London through the Argyle years to his time at West Ham United, where he worked until he was 82 cleaning the boots of World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, and Geoff Hurst.
Matt says, ‘This has been an honour and a privilege to research and write. Jack’s granddaughters have given me access to their archive and to their memories and precious family stories. Their honesty and integrity with their grandfather’s legacy has ensured this is an honest portrait of this remarkable footballer and man. I shared the book with them to make sure I had got all the facts straight, but I was also nervous of what they would think. When they told me they loved it I was relieved and delighted.’
Matt, A Plymouth Argyle fan, set up a campaign with Greg Foxsmith to create a statue to Jack Leslie in 2020. Last year it was unveiled.
The Lion Who Never Roared is out in hardback through Pitch Publishing: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/lion-who-never-roared
Jack will be giving a talk about his research and campaign.
St. Giles Church, Camberwell, Camberwell Church Street London SE5 8RB. Monday 6th November 7pm-9m. £10, £7 (with free drink)
