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Proposal to name Plymouth road after footballer Jack Leslie

Leslie family Football players on pitchLeslie family
Jack Leslie played for Plymouth Argyle in the 1920s

A road leading to the home of Plymouth Argyle could soon be named after a pioneering black footballer.

Jack Leslie, who joined Argyle in 1921, scoring 137 goals in 401 appearances over 14 years, was England's only professional black player for much of his career

City council leader Nick Kelly said naming the road Jack Leslie Way would ensure he was "memorialised in Plymouth" for years to come.

Mr Kelly said Leslie was "legendary".

Leslie was set to become the first black player to represent England in 1925 but was denied the opportunity when selectors were told he was a black man.

The first black player would not play for England until 1978, when Viv Anderson won his cap 53 years after Leslie's call up.

The footballer's granddaughters, Lyn, Les and Gill, said they were "delighted" by the "recognition" their grandad was receiving.

Road running up to stadium and cars moving and parked in spaces
The road, which runs past Home Park Stadium, is currently unnamed and runs along the edge of Milehouse Park and Ride

CEO of Plymouth Argyle FC, Andrew Parkinson said naming the road would "ensure his legacy among Argyle fans and the people of Plymouth in the years ahead".

He said this was alongside the sculpture of the footballer planned for outside Plymouth Argyle's Stadium, which is due to be unveiled this year.

Mr Kelly said: "Jack achieved legendary status for his goal scoring exploits and it is right and proper that he is recognised at Home Park, the place where he enjoyed so much success and brought happiness to thousands of fans each week."

The proposal was "far more appropriate" than an initial plan to rename Sir John Hawkins Square after him, he added.

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