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Modern football analysis has changed a lot over the last few years because AI tools and advanced statistics are now much more accessible to regular fans. While comparing prediction platforms recently, I spent some time on soccerpredictionai.com and found the match previews surprisingly detailed without being overly complicated. I like when prediction websites explain trends clearly instead of just posting random percentages with no context. Especially during busy football weekends, having quick access to organized analysis saves a lot of time. Even for casual supporters, these tools make following leagues and tournaments more engaging overall.

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National Football Museum video featuring objects in the museum's collection related to pioneers.

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11 Museum Objects on Football & Politics | First 11

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National Football Museum video feature objects in the museum's  collection with citizenship and sociocultural themes.

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Football and Society in 11 Museum Objects | First 11

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First 11 - Football's Black History Makers

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First 11 - Football's Black History Makers

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National Football Museum video featuring objects in the museum's collection related to English pioneering black footballers.

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Football's Black History Makers in 11 Objects

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Google Arts & Culture spotlight on Marcus Rashford and the National Football Museum collection

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Google Arts & Culture spotlight on Marcus Rashford and the National Football Museum collection

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His efforts were recognized, appreciated, and returned as he faced adversity during the Euro 2020 Championship.

His campaigning started with local foodbanks, providing support for those going hungry. This transcended from Wythenshawe to Westminster as he persuaded the government to do the same. The respect for him as a player and person has catapulted from his efforts over 2020.

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His efforts were recognized, appreciated, and returned as he faced adversity during the Euro 2020 Championship. His campaigning started with local foodbanks, providing support for those going hungry. This transcended from Wythenshawe to Westminster as he persuaded the government to do the same.

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Learn more about the black football denied his chance to play for England because of the colour of his skin.

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Aims & Objectives

1. To raise funds for and build a statue of Jack Leslie at Home Park where he played professionally for Plymouth Argyle.

2. To promote and share Jack's story.

3. To celebrate diversity and combat racism.
WHO WAS JACK LESLIE?
Jack Leslie should have been England's first black player but when the selectors discovered his heritage, his name would never appear on the team sheet.

Below is the story in brief but if you want to find out more please read the JACK'S STORY page where there are several useful articles.

Jack was an outstanding player who joined Plymouth Argyle from Barking in 1921 and scored 137 goals in a long and illustrious career which ended in 1934.

Leslie was picked for the England national team to face Ireland in 1925 and was told by his manager that he'd been called up. But after this selection, his name mysteriously disappeared from the team sheet, seemingly because of the colour of his skin.

So, not only was Jack an incredible player for his club, but his is also a story of great national and historical significance. It's also one that sadly still resonates as racist incidents in football and in wider society continue to this day.
THE BALLAD OF JACK LESLIE
The campaign was, in part, inspired by this storytelling song written by one of the founders. You can read about the campaign origins here and l isten to and buy the song to support the fundraising effort.....

WE DID IT! ... NOW WHAT???

The elation of hitting and exceeding our £100,000 target within the six week crowdfunder period has subsided (just a little, mind!) and we are now making plans to turn your generosity into a fitting memorial to Jack Leslie.

But, while our total has passed £136,000 we do still welcome donations. Our initial target was the minimum needed to make a statue happen, now we want to ensure the best memorial possible, plus an educational and maintenance legacy. You can read more information on plans moving forward. We are so grateful to you all.

You can continue to donate if you can and share our CROWDFUNDER PAGE.

We are particularly keen to hear from companies wanting you are to donate a significant amount. Now we know the statue will happen, your name can appear on the plinth. Do get in touch as we have offers for sponsorship and recognition which we can discuss. Drop us an email at jacklesliecampaign@gmail.com

Join Us

Who are we?

We are a group of like-minded football fans who feel passionately that the story of Jack Leslie should be more widely known. More about us here.

His former team, Plymouth Argyle, has now taken steps to honour Leslie, naming the new boardroom in the Mayflower Grandstand at Home Park after Jack. This has inspired us to keep his story alive, having been so sadly overlooked for many years.

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1. To raise funds for and build a statue of Jack Leslie at Home Park where he played professionally for Plymouth Argyle. 2. To promote and share Jack's story. 3. To celebrate diversity and combat racism. WHO WAS JACK LESLIE?

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Fare Network funded project from Everycolour and the National Football Museum

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Justin Fashanu - NFM Hall of Fame Profile

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Justin Fashanu - NFM Hall of Fame Profile

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A dangerous and promising forward, Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in England to come out as gay - and remains the only male professional player in the country to have done so.

Brought up alongside foster parents with brother John, Justin showed early promise as part of the Norwich City academy, signing professional terms in December 1978. Within a month, he was making his league debut for the Canaries, and fast became a regular fixture in John Bond's side. His stunning strike against Liverpool in February 1980 - a stunning volley from outside the area - was voted BBC Goal of the Season, and has gone down as one of the greatest goals ever scored at Carrow Road.

Despite bagging 19 league goals in 1980/81, Norwich City were relegated at the end of the campaign. During this season, Fashanu had also established himself within the England youth setup, scoring five goals in eleven under-21 games. Fashanu's performances and prolific scoring record caught the eye of a number of clubs, including recent European Cup champions Nottingham Forest. In joining Forest, Fashanu became the country's first black £1 million player.

However, Fashanu struggled to replicate his form at the City Ground, in no small part due to a strained relationship with manager Brian Clough revolving around his sexuality and lifestyle. Fashanu was soon frozen out of the first team and sent on loan to Southampton in 1982. He impressed in his stint on the South Coast, scoring three times in nine games, but finances prevented the Saints from making the deal permanent.

Fashanu was sold to Forest's local rivals Notts County for £100,000 - a tenth of what the club had paid just one year prior. Justin duly recaptured his goalscoring form, netting frequently for the Magpies, though he was unable to prevent the club from back-to-back relegations. A knee injury suffered at Brighton & Hove Albion in 1985 looked to have ended his career prematurely, but Justin returned to these shores after spells in North America, making a handful of appearances for the likes of West Ham United, Manchester City and West Ham United.

In October 1990, fearing that he was about to be outed by a national newspaper, Justin Fashanu came out as gay via an interview with The Sun. In doing so, he became the first openly gay professional footballer in the UK.

Justin featured for non-league outfits Southall and Leatherhead and had an unsuccessful trial with Newcastle United, but would ultimately join Torquay United in November 1991. He went on to score 15 goals in 41 appearances for the Gulls, before finishing his career the likes of Airdrieonians and Hearts.

Once his playing days were over, Fashanu moved to the United States. In May 1998, he returned to London, where he took his own life at the age of 37.

To this day, Justin remains the only gay male professional footballer in this country. His legacy lives on through the work of LGBT+ campaigners, the Justin Campaign and The Justin Fashanu Foundation, founded by his niece Amal. He remains an inspiration and a source of courage on and off the pitch.

Principal English clubs: Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Notts County, Brighton & Hove Albion, Torquay United

Inducted: 2020

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A dangerous and promising forward, Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in England to come out as gay - and remains the only male professional player in the country to have done so. Brought up alongside foster parents with brother John, Justin showed early promise as part of the Norwich City academy, signing professional terms in December 1978.

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One of the country's greatest and most dangerous full-backs, Alex Scott was a key fixture on the right of defence for both Arsenal and England for well over a decade.

A graduate from the Arsenal academy, Scott initially started out as a forward, playing up top or out on the right wing, before her conversion to full-back. After a spell at financially troubled Birmingham City, the 20-year-old returned to Meadow Park and became part of the Gunners' Double-winning side of '05/06.

Now a firm fixture in the side, Scott would play a significant role in retaining both the title and Women's FA Cup the following season - as well as the Premier League Cup and the UEFA Women's Cup. In the latter competition, her last-gasp goal in the first leg - a swerving effort from distance - proved enough to clinch the cup against Umea IK, defeating the Swedish favourites 1-0 on aggregate. In doing so, Alex Scott became one of the first players to have achieved a Quadruple in the English game.

Scott enjoyed another Double-winning season in 2007/08, and won another title and Premier League Cup winner's medal the following year before heading overseas, joining Boston Breakers for the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season.

After two years stateside, Scott returned to North London, where her experience, energy and endeavour down the right helped the Gunners retain their WSL title. She also featured in both the 2013 and 2014 Women's FA Cup finals, collecting another two winner's medals, as well as featuring in two WSL Cup-winning sides.
Appointed skipper in 2014, the defender led the side to two triumphs before her retirement. First, she was part of the squad that lifted the WSL Cup again in 2015 (though she did not feature in the final), before keeping a clean sheet in the 2016 Women's FA Cup victory over rivals Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

From 2004 onwards, Scott was also a mainstay in Hope Powell's England side. She made her debut against the Netherlands in September that year, and was a starter for the Lionesses just a few months later at the 2005 European Championships.

She would go on to play in four UEFA Women's EURO tournaments and three World Cups, winning a runner-up medal at the 2009 EUROs and a third-place medal at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, where she made a late appearance off the bench during England's 2-1 defeat to Japan. By the time of her retirement from international duty in 2017, Alex had racked up 140 appearances for the national side, scoring 12 goals. Only Fara Williams, Jill Scott and Karen Carney have made more appearances in an England shirt.

Principal English club: Arsenal

Honours: 5 FA Women's Premier League titles; 1 WSL title; 7 Women's FA Cups; 2 FA Women's Premier League Cups; 3 FA WSL Cups; 1 UEFA Women's Cup

Caps: 140; 12 goals

Inducted: 2019

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One of the country's greatest and most dangerous full-backs, Alex Scott was a key fixture on the right of defence for both Arsenal and England for well over a decade. A graduate from the Arsenal academy, Scott initially started out as a forward, playing up top or out on the right wing, before her conversion to full-back.

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We provide educational workshops, training sessions, multimedia packages, and a whole host of other resources, all with the purpose of tackling racism in society. Established in January 1996, the organisation utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to publicise its message.

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Cyrille Regis - NFM Hall of Fame Profile

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Cyrille Regis - NFM Hall of Fame Profile

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A hero at West Bromwich Albion, an FA Cup winner with Coventry City and a full England international, Cyrille Regis was blessed with pace, power and a penchant for spectacular goals, and was an inspiration to generations of black players.

Born in French Guiana, Cyrille followed his father to England at a young age, and was playing his football with non-league Hayes when he was spotted by West Bromwich Albion chief scout (and former centre-forward) Ronnie Allen. Previously an electrician by trade, Cyrille soon lit up the professional ranks, netting twice on his debut in a League Cup triumph over Rotherham United.

At a time when black professional footballers were still rare in the English game, Regis linked up with former Leyton Orient winger Laurie Cunningham; the pair were later joined by Cambridge United defender Brendan Batson. All three became key fixtures in Ron Atkinson's side; it would be just the second time that three black players had featured in a First Division starting XI.

Regis hit double figures in five of his seven full seasons at the Hawthorns, and played a huge part in the club's league successes and an impressive UEFA Cup quarter-final run in 1978/79. Throughout this time, Regis and his black teammates were subjected to horrendous racial abuse from the terraces, but the striker channelled that anger into his performances.

Having scored 112 goals in almost 300 appearances, Regis moved across the Midlands to fellow First Division outfit Coventry City in 1984. After a difficult first season, the centre-forward reached double digits across all competitions in his next three campaigns, finding the net 16 times in 1986/87.

The year also ended Regis' long wait for silverware, as the Sky Blues lifted the FA Cup, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a thrilling Wembley final. Cyrille played the full 120 minutes of the match, and scored in previous rounds against the likes of Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday.

Regis was highly regarded beyond the Midlands, earning five full England caps over a five-year period; only the emergence of Gary Lineker prevented him from earning more international recognition.

His talents were also appreciated beyond these shores; former Ajax manager Johan Cruyff admitted in his autobiography that he was keen on signing the striker as a replacement for the outgoing Marco van Basten.

After spells with Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City, Cyrille Regis hung up his boots in 1996, having scored well in advance of 150 professional goals. He later moved into coaching and became a player agent, guiding the careers of young players making their way in the game.

For almost two decades, Cyrille Regis was the champion of black footballers across the country, and continued to support and inspire players long after his playing career ended. The Legacy Trust established in his name continues his work, mentoring those from disadvantaged backgrounds and supporting football-based projects at the heart of communities.

Principal clubs: West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, Aston Villa

Honours: 1 FA Cup

Caps: 5

Inducted: 2019

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A hero at West Bromwich Albion, an FA Cup winner with Coventry City and a full England international, Cyrille Regis was blessed with pace, power and a penchant for spectacular goals, and was an inspiration to generations of black players.

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Marcus Rashford calls for free school meals - June 2020

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Marcus Rashford calls for free school meals - June 2020

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Marcus Rashford has called on the government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer, saying that "the system isn't built for families like mine to succeed".

The Manchester United and England forward has raised about £20m to supply three million meals to vulnerable people while working with charity FareShare UK during the coronavirus lockdown.

Campaigners have threatened to bring legal action against the government for not extending the food voucher scheme into the summer holidays.

In an emotional open letter to MPs drawing on his own experiences of relying on free school meals and food banks growing up, Rashford said his story is "all too familiar for families in England".

Speaking to BBC Breakfast about the letter, Rashford, 22, said: "It's written from the heart and it's about how my life was at the moment - the letter is to open up and let people understand the impact on families and to know I've done the right thing.

"What families are going through now, I've once had to go through that - and it's very difficult to find a way out. It's very important for me to help people who are struggling. Whether the outcome changes or doesn't change - that's why I wrote it."

Who qualifies for free school meals?

In England, about 1.3 million children from low income backgrounds are eligible for free school meals.

To qualify, their household must earn a maximum income of £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits. The full criteria is listed here.

A child who qualifies remains eligible until 31 March 2022, whether in primary or secondary education. Children from families who meet certain criteria can also be eligible for free school meals before they start school.

During the pandemic, the government says it expects schools to continue to support eligible children in term time. This includes:

Food parcels

A national voucher scheme

Vouchers for a local shop or supermarket

This provision included the Easter and May half-term holidays, but the voucher schemes will not run during the summer holidays.

In Wales, the government will provide free school meal vouchers until schools reopen, or at least until the end of August

'This is not about politics, it's about humanity'

In the letter, Rashford wrote: "My mum worked full-time, earning the minimum wage, to make sure we always had a good evening meal on the table, but it was not enough.

"The system was not built for families like mine to succeed, regardless of how hard my mum worked."

Rashford added his plea for the government to "make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority" was "not about politics" but about "humanity".

He added that it was about "looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who can't, for whatever reason or circumstance, protect themselves".

The Department for Education confirmed the scheme would not run during summer holidays: "As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are not yet able to return to school. Where this is not possible, schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils.

The spokesperson also pointed to the new £63m local authority welfare assistance scheme to support the most vulnerable families, and its Holiday Activities and Food programme, which offers activities and free meals in the summer holidays.

Families claiming free school meals have been issued with either an electronic voucher or gift card - worth £15 per child, per week - to spend at supermarkets, while schools have been closed.

Rashford wrote: "Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to be hungry?"

The United youth-team graduate, who is one of five children, added: "As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic.

"Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbours, and my coaches, the only stats I'm associated with are goals, appearances and caps.

"I would be doing myself, my family and my community an injustice if I didn't stand here today with my voice and my platform and ask you for help."

Around 1.3m children in England are eligible for free school meals and a survey by the Food Foundation in May said that more than 200,000 children have had to skip meals because their family could not access enough food during lockdown.

"Ten years ago, I would have been one of those children, and you would never have heard my voice and seen my determination to become part of the solution," said Rashford.

"Food poverty in England is a pandemic that could span generations if we don't course correct now."

Rashford stated that the government's Universal Credit benefit system "is simply not a short-term solution" to the issue of food poverty, because "I am fully aware that the majority of families applying are experiencing five-week delays".

He is concerned that child poverty is "only going to get worse" when the government's furlough scheme ends.

Rashford added that with many children still not able to return to school and have more of their nutritional needs met "we're encouraging this cycle of hardship to continue".

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Boris Johnson "will respond to Marcus Rashford's letter as soon as he can", adding the footballer "has been using his profile in a positive way to highlight some important issues".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "This is such an important and moving letter. Thank you, Marcus, for all the work you are doing to support children during the coronavirus crisis."

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Marcus Rashford calls for government free school meals U-turn

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Marcus Rashford has called on the government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer, saying that "the system isn't built for families like mine to succeed". The Manchester United and England forward has raised about £20m to supply three million meals to vulnerable people while working with charity FareShare UK during the coronavirus lockdown.

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Kick It Out teams with Wear Your Support

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Kick Homophobia Out of Football - Campaign Advert

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Kick Homophobia Out of Football - Campaign Advert

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Kick Homophobia Out of Football. A film from the FA and Kick It Out.

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About the Campaign

Football v Homophobia exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels in football. As an international initiative FvH engages in campaigning, education, advice and guidance, research, policy consultation and capacity building to:

1. Make existing football structures safe, welcoming and inclusive for LGBTI people

2. Create opportunities and promote engagement of LGBTI people in football at all levels and in all forms

3. Improve the representation and visibility of LGBTI people throughout football

4. To realise the potential of football in society as a tool to create positive change

Get involved

We work all year round, but FEBRUARY is the Football v Homophobia Month of Action where we ask clubs, fans, players, football authorities and other supporters to focus their efforts.

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Football v Homophobia exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels in football.

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Whether we're cheering or competing, we are all at our best when we feel part of the team.

But 4 in 10 LGBT people don't think sport is welcoming.

Sport has an amazing power to bring people together. Following and taking part can give us community, energy and a sense of belonging.

That's why we all need to play our part to make sport everyone's game.

When you step up and play your part, others will follow.

Join the Rainbow Laces movement today:

Sign up to find out more about how you can play your part

Use our top tips for making your sport community more LGBT inclusive

Read on to meet Stonewall's Sport Champions, read LGBT people's stories, buy your Rainbow Laces and find out how you can Come Out Active and raise vital funds for LGBT equality.

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Rainbow Laces - Come Out Active for LGBT equality in sport

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Whether we're cheering or competing, we are all at our best when we feel part of the team. But 4 in 10 LGBT people don't think sport is welcoming. Sport has an amazing power to bring people together. Following and taking part can give us community, energy and a sense of belonging...