Alex Williams MBE to join Football Black List celebration in Manchester bringing community champions together in the region.
The contribution of Manchester City’s former pioneering goalkeeper and community leader, Alex Williams MBE, and outstanding individuals in the Black community in football will be celebrated on Thursday 28th November at the National Football Museum.
The Football Black List Manchester celebration, supported by the FA, will see incredible people celebrate together to honour and commemorate Black achievement from individuals who have advanced grassroots football in the region. The event will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter, Kyle Walker.
The initiative was founded by journalists Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds back in 2008. The aim of the Football Black List is to highlight and amplify Black talent in the sport, representing their mission to redefine the way the industry embraces diversity.
Community heroes in Manchester who have played a great part in the development of grassroots football in the city will be awarded for their immense and positive contributions. A board of respected figures from the Black community in the region, as well as representatives from Manchester FA, Manchester City and Manchester United selected the awardees.
The evening will also include a panel discussion from industry experts with compelling stories of personal career journeys.
Pioneering former player and community leader, Alex Williams MBE, will take to the stage at the event to recall his football memories as a Black pioneer in the game, growing up in Manchester and achieving incredible success both on and off the pitch in the city.
The celebration evening will be dedicated to the memory of the late Ralph Inniss, one of the first Black football coaches in Manchester and an ex-Manchester City coach, who sadly passed away in 2023.
Leon Mann MBE, co-founder of the Football Black List, said: “Manchester is blessed with so many amazing figures from the Black community who have had an incredible impact on football both in the city and beyond. Alex Williams MBE led the way both on and off the pitch – and we cannot wait to celebrate him and our wonderful awardees who are all game changers!
“It is important for us also to recognise pioneers and greats of the game in Manchester such as the late great Ralph Inniss. The Football Black List was created to ensure we recognised those like Ralph who opened the doors for us today.
“We would like to thank our partners for this event. Without the support of The FA and partnerships with the Manchester FA, National Football Museum and our community partners, we wouldn’t be able to bring hundreds of people together for a celebration that will pay tribute to some remarkable people making football better for everyone.”
Media wishing to attend the Football Black List Manchester celebration should email mia@timetorefresh.co.uk to register and get further details on timings.
Photo: www.mancity.com
