He should have appeared for his country
but this was the 1920s
and so the captain of Plymouth Argyle
was left out due only to his colour.
For many seasons he played the game he loved
somehow managing to keep self-control
receiving abuse which would chill the soul.
Now decades after those inter-war years
of grainy film and long baggy shorts
many black players are in the team
but Jack was destined not to be the first.
They are planning a statue for a man
denied a cap to our eternal shame,
it's important... we remember his name.
(Music: The Ballad of Jack Leslie by Matt Tiller.)
but this was the 1920s
and so the captain of Plymouth Argyle
was left out due only to his colour.
For many seasons he played the game he loved
somehow managing to keep self-control
receiving abuse which would chill the soul.
Now decades after those inter-war years
of grainy film and long baggy shorts
many black players are in the team
but Jack was destined not to be the first.
They are planning a statue for a man
denied a cap to our eternal shame,
it's important... we remember his name.
(Music: The Ballad of Jack Leslie by Matt Tiller.)
