Honorary England cap given to family of ex-City captain

THE FA RECOGNISES ACHIEVEMENTS OF FRANK SOO, WHO HAS BEEN HAILED AS A TRAILBLAZER IN FOOTBALL

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THE family of Frank Soo, the first Asian heritage footballer to represent England, have been presented with an honorary international cap in recognition of his achievements.

The special ceremony was held at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night before the friendly match between England and Wales.

Former Leicester City captain Soo, whose father was Chinese, made history when he played for England in a wartime international against Wales at Ninian Park in Cardiff in 1942.

His great niece Jacqui Soo, 63, who can remember him visiting her home in Liverpool after he retired as a player, attended the presentation in one of the suites at Wembley Stadium.

"To use a football expression, I’m over the moon. I am very happy," she said. “It’s just a shame that my dad is still not alive to see it.

“I think it needs to be recognised, just to give people from diverse backgrounds that story that there was somebody before you, that he was a trailblazer.”

Alan Lau, of the Frank Soo Foundation, said: “Frank Soo was one of the most talented players of his generation, whose story has often been overlooked.

“It is really important to honour the contribution of all players who have blazed a trail in the national game.

“We and the Soo family are so proud of this achievement.”

Born in Derbyshire and later raised in Liverpool, Soo played nine England wartime matches between 1942 and 1945.