Stoke-on-Trent has written another sporting legend into its books. The late Frank Soo, an ex-professional English football player who played for Stoke City FC and England during wartime matches has been inducted in the Sporting Hall of Fame.

Frank was the first player of Chinese origin to play in the English Football League, and the first player of an ethnic minority background to represent England. During his time he lived on Richmond Street before his marriage when he moved to Huntley Avenue in Penkhull.

Members of the Soo family, former Stoke players and foundation members were in attendance to see the presentation by the Lord Mayor, Majid Khan. Soo's great niece Jacqui Soo was presented with a framed certificate and his name was permanently etched with other sporting legends.

His career spanned either side of the Second World War Frank played 173 games for Stoke City and scored five goals, between 1933 and 1945. During the war, Soo moved around the country with his regiment playing for Everton, Chelsea, Millwall, Brentford and Reading.

The Sporting Hall of Fame displays names of individuals who have exhibited exceptional levels of commitment, passion and dedication to their sports (LDRS).

The Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame displays the names of individuals who have exhibited exceptional levels of commitment, passion and dedication to their sports. Frank's name will be listed amongst the likes of other exceptional Stoke-on-Trent sports people.

Councillor Andy Platt (Lab) has pushed the City Council into admitting Frank Soo into the Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame and raised the issue at a recent council meeting. He joins the likes of Phil Taylor, Sir Stanley Matthews CBE, Gordon Banks OBE and Eddie Hall by entering the Hall of Fame.

In 2019 Frank Soo Street was named at the Victoria Park development, which is being built on the Victoria Ground – the former home of Stoke City. Google also celebrated Soo with a Google doodle in May 2020.

Saturday 4 November 2023 marked 90 years since his Stoke City FC debut and in his honour Stoke City held a half-time pitch-side commemoration to Frank during their home game with Cardiff City.

Frank Soo played 173 games for Stoke City and scored five goals between 1933 and 1945 (Nub News).

Alan Lau Founder and Chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation said: "It's just amazing for us, Frank is a bit of a forgotten hero really and to have these things, the recognition and I really truly hope these awards and accolades will inspire the next generation of young east and south-east asians whether they are boys or girls. We are driving a change here, I hope this is the start of something else and to be honest I'm just so happy, I'm lost for words.

"The next logical thing is to get the recognition for the FA. The FA do recognise him as a player but do he doesn't have a cap and for me that's the next logical step."

Speaking after the presentation Soo's great niece Jacqui Soo said: "I would like to thank everyone who is involved in getting my great uncle Frank this recognition. I'd also like to pay thanks to Susan Gardiner who started this journey with a book about Frank in 2016.

"It's a fantastic honour for Stoke Council to honour my great uncle Frank this way. I think it's a long time coming and I think it's great they are doing it at his 90th anniversary of when he played his first game for Stoke. Our ultimate goal is to get Frank recognised and get him a cap, an England cap."

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