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Frank Soo captained Stoke City and is the only player of East Asian descent to represent England - yet you’ve probably never heard of him.
He was a household name in his time, so we reached out to our friends @planetfutebol to help shine a light on his story.
Thread
He was a household name in his time, so we reached out to our friends @planetfutebol to help shine a light on his story.
Thread
Soo was born in Derbyshire to a Chinese father and English mother. He spent much of his childhood in Liverpool, before joining Stoke in January 1933.
A graceful inside forward, many Stoke fans regarded him as better than teammate Sir Stanley Matthews.
A graceful inside forward, many Stoke fans regarded him as better than teammate Sir Stanley Matthews.
Soo broke into the first team at Stoke when they were seen as one of the most beautiful teams in England. Slightly different to the Rory Delap years...
He only scored nineteen goals in his career, but reports from the time praise his “quick but calculated mastery of the ball”.
He only scored nineteen goals in his career, but reports from the time praise his “quick but calculated mastery of the ball”.
Sadly, Soo’s heritage was regularly commented on, as he was constantly referred to as “Chinaman” or “the Chinese player”.
His ability meant he got nine England caps, but in 1975 Soo suggested this number might have been higher were it not for his ‘oriental blood’.
His ability meant he got nine England caps, but in 1975 Soo suggested this number might have been higher were it not for his ‘oriental blood’.
Like so many of the great players of his day, Soo’s career was interrupted by WWII. When war broke out in 1939 he was 25 - and had to swap potential trophies for the RAF.
Restricted to playing in wartime matches, Soo would continue playing until 1950. https://twitter.com/Theleaguemag/status/842678402251444224
Restricted to playing in wartime matches, Soo would continue playing until 1950. https://twitter.com/Theleaguemag/status/842678402251444224
After retiring, Soo worked extensively in Scandinavia, taking @Djurgardens_IF to their first ever Allsvenskan title and coaching the Norwegian national team.
He also managed Padova in Italy and at Scunthorpe United. Chalk and cheese...
He also managed Padova in Italy and at Scunthorpe United. Chalk and cheese...
If that wasn't enough, Soo also took a pioneering approach to fitness and healthy eating, speaking out for players’ rights and against the maximum wage cap.
A trailblazer on and off the pitch, we salute a true giant of the game.
A trailblazer on and off the pitch, we salute a true giant of the game.
