10 Black Pioneers In British Football

Jack Leslie - Born to a Jamaican father in Canning Town, Leslie was the only professional black player in England during his time with Plymouth Argyle (1921-1934). He was set to become the first non-white player to represent England at international level before he was denied the opportunity when selectors were made aware that he was "a man of colour". Later in his life, Leslie told journalist Brian Woolnough: "They must have forgot I was a coloured boy."