UNOFFICIAL WARTIME CAPS
We are currently working on getting Frank Soo's caps officially recognised by the FA. Frank played during World War II and as a result, none of his nine matches for England ever counted.
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Football during wartime was a great way for people to come together and boost morale. It was helped support recruitment for the war effort and many professional footballers were service men as well.
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Thanks to Kick it Out and also Sky Sports News for covering our campaign for Frank to be awarded an Honorary England Cap.
The Jack Leslie Campaign
We wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a fellow trailblazer; Jack Leslie.
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Big thank you to the guys at the Jack Leslie Campaign who had this to say about Frank;
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‘Just as Jack Leslie’s illustrious club career was coming to a premature end after an eye injury in the winter of 1933, Frank Soo burst onto the scene at Stoke City. Both trailblazers, Jack was denied the chance to play for his country due to the colour of his skin, while Frank did represent England several times.
Their stories are, however, similar in one striking manner. Both were largely forgotten for decades. Frank’s talent won him appearances for England through the Second World War, which meant his international career was ‘unofficial.’ But his achievements are remarkable and deserve to be known far and wide. It is time to recognise pioneers like Frank Soo, particularly when players of East Asian heritage remain under represented in our national game.’
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Matt Tiller, The Jack Leslie Campaign.
