Loading...
Quan and Beatrice moved to Buxton and, after spells in different areas, had settled in West Derby in Liverpool by 1920, running a popular laundry on Town Row.
Soo's footballing abilities were clear from a young age and he joined Prescot Cables as an 18-year-old in 1932. Although he was scouted by Liverpool and Everton, Stoke City declared their interest and manager Tom Mather signed him for £400 in 1933.
Promoted to the top flight in Soo's first season, Stoke were a thrilling and elegant side, with Soo dovetailing with the legendary Matthews.
By 1938, a 24-year-old Soo was Stoke captain, and the demands of fans and journalists for him to be called up by England were increasing.
The outbreak of war delayed his promotion to the international stage before he made his debut in 1942.
Soo played 260 matches for Stoke between 1933 and 1945, including wartime friendlies and cup games, scoring 20 goals in the process.
He also became a national icon. His wedding with his first wife, Beryl Lunt, made headlines in the Staffordshire Sentinel in 1938 after attracting a crowd of 2,000 of well-wishers despite attempts to keep the ceremony a secret.
