Frank Soo, the first and only England player of mixed Chinese and English parentage to represent the national team, is now being celebrated as a Google Doodle. Adam Bate talks to Frank's niece to find out about his extraordinary story ...
Frank Soo name may not resonate, but may change with Google on the anniversary of his first England appearance on Saturday.
Soo, whose father was Chinese, became the first player of Asian heritage to represent England when he appeared in an international match against Wales in 1942.
Now Google, in collaboration with the Frank Soo Foundation, has organized a unique celebration of Soo on its UK homepage as Google Doodle to raise awareness of its inspirational heritage.
The Stoke City player, Sir Stanley Matthews' teammate, went on to make eight international appearances during World War II before playing for Luton and embarking on a coaching career that took him to Scania and beyond.
He worked in Italy and was also the head coach of the Norway team at the 1952 Olympics, before returning to England later that decade where he helped guide England manager Graham Taylor at the scathrop.
Sweden had further jobs but Suoo eventually returned to England and died in 1991 at the age of 76. It was an extraordinary life.
"All my friends were looking out of the window outside our house as they overturned her car. I was telling people that my uncle was here who used to play for England."
"He never drank and he never smoked, he made a point to tell us. Then he fell to the floor and started to carry the weight of the press-up. He was clapping between them and then doing them with one hand. Was. This wonderful. My friends still talk about it today.
"It's fantastic that Google is now choosing to honour him. I hope it will rekindle interest in him and bring him back to people's attention again because kids need a role model."
 |
| Frank Soo was the first person of Chinese descent to represent England |
Frank Soo name may not resonate, but may change with Google on the anniversary of his first England appearance on Saturday.
Soo, whose father was Chinese, became the first player of Asian heritage to represent England when he appeared in an international match against Wales in 1942.
Now Google, in collaboration with the Frank Soo Foundation, has organized a unique celebration of Soo on its UK homepage as Google Doodle to raise awareness of its inspirational heritage.
 |
| Google has created a unique celebration of Soo on its UK homepage |
The Stoke City player, Sir Stanley Matthews' teammate, went on to make eight international appearances during World War II before playing for Luton and embarking on a coaching career that took him to Scania and beyond.
He worked in Italy and was also the head coach of the Norway team at the 1952 Olympics, before returning to England later that decade where he helped guide England manager Graham Taylor at the scathrop.
Sweden had further jobs but Suoo eventually returned to England and died in 1991 at the age of 76. It was an extraordinary life.
"All my friends were looking out of the window outside our house as they overturned her car. I was telling people that my uncle was here who used to play for England."
"He never drank and he never smoked, he made a point to tell us. Then he fell to the floor and started to carry the weight of the press-up. He was clapping between them and then doing them with one hand. Was. This wonderful. My friends still talk about it today.
"It's fantastic that Google is now choosing to honour him. I hope it will rekindle interest in him and bring him back to people's attention again because kids need a role model."
0 comments