Frank Soo: England’s pioneer who died with a tale untold

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Frank Soo: The Untold Story of England’s Football Pioneer

In the midst of post-World War II Britain, where the echoes of victory still reverberated, a historic football match took place that would go on to shape the sport’s history. It was October 20, 1945, and England was facing Wales at the Hawthorns. Raymond Glendenning’s voice crackled through the radios of homes across England as he described the action on the field. “And this time, a neat backpass by Soo finds Matthews…”

But who was this Soo, and why is his name not as familiar as the legendary Stanley Matthews? Frank Soo, a name largely forgotten in the annals of English football, had a story that spanned adversity, fame, and eventual obscurity, a story that is now slowly being rediscovered.

In the football world of the 1930s, Frank Soo was a star. His talent was undeniable, and his name graced cigarette cards and newspaper headlines. He was known as a skilled half-back, quick-witted, with a keen eye for a precise pass, and the versatility to play in any position. His teammate Stan Mortensen once said, “Everything he did was hall-marked. He seemed incapable of a clumsy movement.”

Born in 1914 in Buxton, Derbyshire, Soo’s heritage was a unique blend of English and Chinese roots. At a time when there were only a few thousand Chinese residents in a population of millions, his family ran a steam laundry in Liverpool, a quintessential working-class job. Soo’s rise in football was meteoric. He joined Prescot Cables at just 18, and soon, Stoke City recognized his potential and signed him for £400 in 1933.

Stoke City, featuring the legendary Stanley Matthews, was a thrilling and elegant team, and Soo became its captain by 1938. However, the outbreak of World War II delayed his international debut until 1942. Soo played 260 matches for Stoke, including wartime friendlies and cup games, while also becoming a national icon. His wedding to Beryl Lunt attracted thousands of well-wishers and even made newspaper headlines, a rarity for footballers at the time.

Yet, Soo’s fame would be eclipsed by the challenges of wartime football. He served in the Royal Air Force, and while he played for England during the war, those appearances were never officially recognized with caps due to the unique circumstances of the time.

After the war, Soo came close to an official England career, but an ankle injury and the emergence of young star Billy Wright dashed his hopes. Soo then transitioned into management, taking his talents abroad to Norway and Sweden, where he found success but gradually faded from the English football scene.

Soo’s memory was largely forgotten until recent years when efforts to celebrate his achievements began to gain momentum. In 2016, Susan Gardiner’s book meticulously pieced together his story, and in 2020, the Frank Soo Foundation collaborated with Google to feature Soo as a Google Doodle, bringing his likeness to millions of web users worldwide.

In a fitting tribute, Soo was posthumously inducted into Stoke’s Sporting Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as a club legend. Frank Soo Street now stands on the site of Stoke’s former Victoria Ground, a testament to his enduring legacy.

As the world looks back on pioneers of diversity in football, it’s worth noting that Frank Soo was not only a trailblazer for non-white representation but also a Stoke City icon and a resilient figure who overcame life’s adversities, finally emerging from the shadows of anonymity in death. His story continues to inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts, reminding us that history often has untold tales waiting to be discovered.

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More about Football Pioneer

• BBC Sport: Frank Soo: England’s pioneer who died with a tale untold
• The Wanderer: The Story of Frank Soo by Susan Gardiner
• Frank Soo Foundation
• National Football Museum
• Stoke City Football Club
• Google Doodle: Frank Soo