Black footballer Jack Leslie gets blue plaque, a century after England call-up was rescinded

It will be a day of mixed emotions for the family of the late, great footballer Jack Leslie.

- Steven Morris

There is pride at the unveiling of a plaque on the Devon house where he lived while becoming the first black player to captain an English football league team. But sadness too, as it takes place 100 years after his England call-up was rescinded because of his colour.

Lesley Hiscott, Leslie's granddaughter, said the family was delighted at the honour. "We have to keep pinching ourselves to make sure we're not dreaming. Grandad was a trail-blazer. We're elated for the recognition Grandad is at long last getting, but we wish it had been in his lifetime. There's a kind of bittersweetness to it."

A blue plaque will be unveiled at Glendower Road, Plymouth, where Leslie (1901-1988) lived at the peak of his footballing career, scoring 137 goals in 401 appearances for Plymouth Argyle.