Frank Soo awarded posthumous honorary England cap

Frank Soo (pictured above, bottom left) was the first player of Asian descent to play for England, making his debut against Wales in 1942. He went on to play for England a further eight times and captained the RAF team during the Second World War. 

Owing to the fact that wartime matches aren’t internationally recognised by FIFA as official fixtures, the presentation of a posthumous honorary cap allows us the opportunity to acknowledge Frank as a trailblazer in English football.

Born in Derbyshire, and later raised in Liverpool, to a Chinese father and an English mother, Frank Soo had a successful club football career including with Stoke City, where he was captain, Leicester City, and Luton Town. His later career as a football manager, included a spell at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, as the coach of the Norwegian national football team.

Today’s announcement comes during ESEA Heritage Month, and the Frank Soo Foundation hosted the national final of the Frank Soo Champions Cup at St. George’s Park at the weekend (14 September). The competition is run in collaboration with County FAs and aims to bring more people from East and South East Asian (ESEA) communities to play football and showcase talent. Finals day saw a number of teams from across the country compete in a nine-a-side tournament, with All Nations FC crowned national champions. 

Dal Darroch, head of diversity and inclusion strategic programmes at the FA, said: “Frank Soo’s immense contribution to English football deserves lasting recognition. A player of great skill on the pitch, and of determination and resilience off it, his story lives on today. It will be a special moment when this posthumous honorary cap is presented to his family and the Frank Soo Foundation at Wembley Stadium in October. It’s also 80 years to the month since Frank's final game for England, also against Wales, making this a fitting tribute. His pioneering legacy continues to inspire young players now, and will continue to do so for generations to come.”

Alan Lau, of the Frank Soo Foundation, added: "Frank Soo was one of the most talented players of his generation, whose story has often been overlooked. It is really important to honour the contribution of all players who have blazed a trail in the national game. We and the Soo family are so proud of this achievement and cannot wait to see the impact this recognition will have on East and South East Asian communities and for English football."