On Saturday, February 24th, don’t miss the opportunity to meet Matt Tiller, the author behind the captivating biography of Jack Leslie, the former Barking player. Titled ‘The Lion Who Never Roared: The Star Robbed of England Glory’, this book sheds light on Leslie’s remarkable journey.

Matt Tiller will be signing copies of his book between 2 and 3 pm, just before our league match against Ilford.

With a rating of 4.9 stars on Amazon, ‘The Lion Who Never Roared’ unveils the poignant tale of Jack Leslie, who, despite being the sole black player in the Football League in 1925, was unjustly dropped from the national team due to racial prejudice.

According to a review by When Saturday Comes: Matt Tiller’s beautifully written book is both a labour of love about an authentic local hero wronged, but also a wonderfully detailed account of the life and times at a lower league English club in the inter-war years.”

Jack Leslie’s legacy has gained further recognition in recent years. The successful campaign for a statue outside Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium, which culminated in its unveiling in October 2022 with Barking’s Chairman Rob O’Brien in attendance, stands as a testament to his enduring impact.

Furthermore, Leslie was posthumously awarded an honorary cap by the FA, a poignant moment as it was presented to his family at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2023, ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Ukraine.

More information about the Jack Leslie campaign can be found on:

X – @JackLeslieCamp

Website – https://jackleslie.co.uk/