People from all sectors of football, from Premier League managers to community coaches, gathered at the Village Underground in London’s East End to celebrate the achievements of this year’s Football Black List.
Launched in 2008 by Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, and supported by the Premier League for the third time, this unique event celebrates the contributions to the game of people from African and Caribbean backgrounds, a group underrepresented away from the pitch.
Shining a light
The Football Black List helps address this issue by shining a light on those who are inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in the game.
"I am grateful to the Premier League’s involvement, which is helping to amplify the message that the industry wants to be more diverse to millions around the UK and globally," said Mann, pictured above left with Hinds, right, and Richard Scudamore, the Premier League Executive Chairman.
"And it’s working. Each year more and more people return to the Football Black List celebration with stories of how the initiative is inspiring the next generation and helping to engage those who may not have pursued a career in the game previously.
"There is a long way still to go, but with the Premier League’s help and support, we have taken this initiative and its impact to another level."
The FBL movement goes from strength to strength...
— Football Black List (@FootieBlackList) November 7, 2018
But we need the community and football industry’s continued support to make an even bigger impact.
Let’s do this 🙌🏿🙌🏻🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/CTKlumKWuK
Wider opportunities
Award categories include coaching and management, administration, media, commercial and community, all to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist in different areas of the industry.
Hosts Johnathan Joseph and Jessica Creighton welcomed on to the stage Brighton & Hove Albion’s Chris Hughton, who won an award for coaching and management, as well as former Manchester United striker and pundit Dion Dublin and former Arsenal and England player and pundit Alex Scott, for their media work, alongside an array of talented people from across the game.
Ugo Ehiogu’s family was also present to announce the first winners of a new "Ones to Watch" category, created in honour of the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender and Tottenham Hotspur Academy coach. The category recognises up and coming talent working across the game.
For an overview of the evening watch this short film and to see details of all the of the winners visit: footballblacklist.com.
