Premier League stars Raheem Sterling, Tyrone Mings and Richarlison have been named on a five-player list recognising the most influential black players in British football.
The 2024 edition of the Football Black List, which the Premier League proudly supports, celebrates people of African and Caribbean heritage working in the game, both on and off the pitch.
Founded in 2008 by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds the annual Football Black List event shines a light on those inspiring the next generation to consider working in the sport.
Sterling, Mings and Richarlison - who have a combined 796 Premier League appearances and 191 goals between them - are joined by England and Chelsea forward Lauren James and Kasha Petit of QPR.
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and England Under-21s assistant head coach Ashley Cole are included in the coaching category along with Port Vale manager, Darren Moore, plus Watford women's Renee Hector and Arsenal women's Under-21s coach Carly Williams.
'Incredible impact'
Leon Mann MBE, co-founder of the Football Black List, said: “The Football Black List once again serves as a reminder of the incredible impact black communities are making in football.
“It is also vital that while we celebrate the exceptional people on the list we recognise the ongoing underrepresentation of black people away from playing - in the boardrooms, dugouts and leadership teams across the game. We must take this challenge on with urgency.
“The Football Black List is an example of a successful initiative that brings the black community and football industry together. We firmly believe greater collaboration across the game will lead to an acceleration of progress in addressing the ongoing challenges football needs to address. It is encouraging to see more of this happening.”
The awards list recognises people across eight categories: Administration, Coaching and Management, Commercial, Community and Grassroots, LGBTQI+, Media and Players practitioners.
Fellow co-founder of the initiative, Rodney Hinds, added: “The Football Black List has been endorsed by the Black community and that provides a great sense of pride. The growing number of industry supporters is significant and appreciated too. Quite rightly, the Football Black List is about those doing great work within the game, so congratulations to all the awardees. They are inspiring future generations."
The special Ugo Ehiogu Ones to Watch category – which identifies talented young people in the industry - features incredible leaders who are already making their mark in the industry.
How the list was decided
A panel of experts drawn from the football industry and the black community independently vote on nominations made by the general public to determine who makes the list.
The panel includes representation from the Premier League, Football Association, EFL, League Managers Association, Professional Footballers’ Association, PGMOL, Kick It Out, FARE, BCOMS and black community leaders.
All those on the list will receive awards at the Football Black List celebration event, supported by the Premier League, to be held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on 24 April.
2023 Football Black List celebration event
The 2024 Football Black List nominees
Players - Off the pitch
Lauren James - Chelsea
Tyrone Mings - Aston Villa
Kasha Petit - QPR
Richarlison - Tottenham Hotspur
Raheem Sterling MBE - Arsenal
Coaching and Management
Ashley Cole - assistant head coach, England U21
Renee Hector - head coach, Watford women
Darren Moore - manager, Port Vale
Nuno Espirito Santo - head coach, Nottingham Forest
Carly Williams - coach, Arsenal Women U21
Practitioners
Melissa Forde - head chef, Wolves
Joel Mannix - chairman, BAM Ref
Darren Smith - associate dean and FA course tutor, UCFB
Maria Tavares - first team player wellbeing and support coordinator, Manchester United
Andre Thomas - programme co-ordinator, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
Administration
Paul Elliott CBE - vice-chair, Charlton Athletic
Mark Esiri - board member, Football Association
Pamela Lubowa - COO, FARE Network
Lola Ogunbote - executive director and head of women’s football, Burnley
Fleur Robinson - CEO, Burton Albion
Commercial
Liam Bowes - managing director, OYS Sports Management
Gemma Gallais - senior director of global communications, EA Sports
Sola Kasali - football partnerships lead, EA Sports
Connor Malcolm - founder, Dreamfruit
Zeycan Rochelle Yildrim - chief marketing officer, Samsunspor
Community and Grassroots
Marcia Lewis - founder, No1 Fan Club
Betty Mayaya - coach, Black Footy Babes
Chid Onokwai - founder, Chidfit Community and Grassroots
Karla Parker - general manager and secretary, Haringey Borough Women
Tara Tewarie - head of programmes, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
Media
Darren Lewis - president, Sports Journalists Association
Femi Oridota - floor manager, Sky Sports
Mayowa Quadri - head of brand, VERSUS
Kate Scott - presenter, CBS Sports
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk - pundit and co-commentator, Sky Sports
LGBTQI+ award
Jahmal Howlett-Mundle - footballer, Sevenoaks Town
Ugo Ehiogu Ones to Watch
Paul Gialo - head of academy recruitment, Stevenage Borough
Mina Ibrahim - content creator and reporter, Freelance
Kelechi Okorie - social media editor, UEFA
Helena Scotland - footballer, England women’s futsal team
Nakeira Rori Westmaas - presenter and reporter, Freelance
