Jack Leslie, John ‘Charlo’ Charles and Walter Tull were the main focus of the Newham’s Black Football Players through the Years exhibition at the Canning Gallery in partnership with Newham Black History Month 2021.

The families of Jack Leslie and John ‘Charlo’ Charles gave talks at the gallery and Walter Tull’s family took part in an online zoom event, which also featured the families of Jack Leslie and John ‘Charlo’ Charles.

Clapton CFC kindly donated their Walter Tull banner and unofficial Walter Tull plaque.

The new Jack Leslie Newham Heritage plaque was also on display at the gallery. The unveiling of the plaque is scheduled for 19 November at 3pm at 12 Gerald Road, Canning Town, E16.

Speakers included the Jack Leslie Campaign, the authors of the book Football’s Black Pioneers, Bill Hern & David Gleave, Phil Vasili, the main exponent of Walter’s story for more than 20 years and biographer of the main reference book Walter Tull, 1888-1918, Footballer, Officer and Mickey Ambrose co-chair of FA Equality Now, former Chelsea professional footballer and Ambassador for HRH Prince William.

Matt Tiller from the Jack Leslie Campaign performed The Ballad of Jack Leslie and Alexander D Great performed his Walter Tull Calypso song.

Visitors to the gallery included: Ravenscroft Primary School, talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham, producer and creator of the Coming in from the Cold podcast series Andrew Spence, West Ham United TV and former West Ham United player and family friend of John ‘Charlo’ Charles Brian Dear.

This exhibition was curated by Neandra Etienne

Walter Tull song

Jack Leslie song

Walter Tull

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