The event, which was part of Black History Month, was attended by participants of programmes such as Premier League Kicks and members of Leslie’s family. There was even a special guest in attendance as legendary heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis joined the celebration online.
Leslie’s story is one of both achievement and injustice. Born in 1901 in Canning Town, Leslie played for the local team Barking Town, scoring more than 250 goals and helping them win the Essex Senior Cup in 1920 and London Premier League Division title in 1921. He was also a prolific forward for Plymouth Argyle, scoring more than 130 goals for the club.
In 1925, he was selected to represent England, a historic moment that should have seen him become the first Black player to wear the Three Lions. However, after his selection was announced, his name was quietly removed from the squad list, a decision widely believed to have been made because of the colour of his skin.
A century later, his story is finally being recognized and there have been several events over the years to celebrate and pay tribute to Leslie and his career.
On 7 October 2022, a commissioned bronze statue of Leslie was unveiled at Plymouth Argyle stadium, Home Park. On the same day, Leslie was awarded a posthumous honorary England cap by the FA.
Boxing legend Lewis, who was born in West Ham also gave an insight on what life was like growing in East London for members of the black community.
He said: “Growing up in east London, any time a West Ham game was on I wasn’t allowed out - I had to stay in because of all the crowds and the trouble. The streets can be a dangerous place, and you’ve got to mind what you’re doing. My focus was always on more positive stuff.”
“While I was training, I said, ‘I’m going to wear locks’. I wanted to be the first boxer to wear locks and win the heavyweight championship of the world. The culture, the music, the food - it’s in me, and my mum is my chef, just pure Jamaican food.”