GoS-DB Players

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Greens on Screen started its life in 1999 before many of the football sites that we are familiar with today, including Plymouth Argyle's own official site. Greens on Screen is dedicated to the sights, sounds and history of Plymouth Argyle Football club. It is owned and run by the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive, a charity dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and display of the heritage of our great football club.

The site owes its existence to Steve Dean.Without Steve's dedication and commitment for over 25 years, GoS would not exist and be the valued and loved resource for all football fans that it is today. The site is truly the envy of many clubs, and we owe a huge debt to Steve for his tireless work, and continued support behind the scenes.

Greens on Screen's first page was published in January 1999. Its early purpose was to bring Plymouth Argyle a little closer to those unable to see their team, and whilst it has changed a great deal over the years, its core themes - sights and sounds for Westcountry exiles - still stand. The site was very lucky to take on the content of Trevor Scallan's Semper Viridis in the summer of 2007, and in 2009 launched GoS-DB, a wealth of facts and figures from PAFC's history. A year later, we embarked on a complete history of Argyle, with much-valued contributions from chapter authors. Greens on Screen was taken over by its new custodians, The Argyle Archive, in 2024.

Greens on Screen is an amateur website and proud of it. It is run by a team of volunteers from the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive (Argyle Archive). Without the hard work and much-valued contributions of these volunteers, running the site would not be possible. Greens on Screen is self-taught and as a result, a little bit quirky.

Greens on Screen remains advertisement free, which means we are grateful for the generous support of our donors and the work of our volunteers to help keep it free of promotions. If you would like to support the work of Greens on Screen, please consider donating to the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive.

GoS's sole aim is to be a service to fellow supporters, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate Argyle's history for many years to come.

Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive.
April 2024

Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).

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JACK LESLIE

Full Name: John Francis Leslie

Born: 17 August 1901

Came from: Barking Town Went to: Retired

First game: 19 November 1921 Last game: 29 December 1934

Appearances: 400 (400/0) Goals: 137

Born of a Jamaican father in Canning Town, Leslie was the only black player in England during his time at Argyle. Signed from Barking Town, he struggled to break into the first team in his first two seasons, but a move to inside-left transformed his career. The arrival of Sammy Black did no harm either, and the two became one of the most feared left flank combinations in the League.

A versatile player, he often provided cover at centre-half, or indeed any other position which was required. In 1930, The Herald described him as "known throughout England for his skill and complexion" and rumours abounded that top clubs were keen on a transfer, but a move never materialised. Leslie spent his entire League career with Argyle, appearing 400 times in all competitions and he remains the Pilgrims' fourth highest goal-scorer of all time.

At one time it was reported that he was to be selected for England, but formal confirmation of his call-up was never received. It was rumoured that the selectors had changed their mind because of the colour of his skin. Remarkably nearly 50 years passed before a black player appeared for England, when Viv Anderson made his debut against Czechoslovakia in a friendly at Wembley in December 1978. In 1982, whilst working as a member of the back-room staff at his local club, West Ham United, Leslie said to renowned sports journalist Brian Woolnough, "They must have forgotten I was a coloured boy".

Jack Leslie, a true Argyle legend, passed away in 1988.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.

From Greg Foxsmith in London on 11/05/2020 ...

A new campaign has been created to celebrate the legacy of Jack Leslie, and to fund-raise for a story of Leslie at Home Park.

Details can be found on the campaign website www.jackleslie.co.uk

APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]

The details below reflect appearances in the following selected competitions: Southern & Western Leagues, English Football League, Football League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Minor Cups

Excluded: Football League (1939), War Leagues

I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.

The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.

Greens on Screen is run as a service to fellow supporters, in all good faith, without commercial or private gain. I have no wish to abuse copyright regulations and apologise unreservedly if this occurs. If you own any of the material used on this site, and object to its inclusion, please get in touch using the 'Contact Us' button at the top of each page. Search facility powered by JRank Search Engine. UK time at page load: 23 November 2024, 16:12.