The Football Black List returned to Birmingham for a special celebration of Black excellence in football, bringing together leading figures from the professional game, grassroots football and the wider West Midlands community.

Supported by The Football Association (The FA) and Birmingham County FA, the event took place at Midlands Arts Centre on Thursday 13 August, marking the Football Black List’s third celebration in the region.

Hosted by award-winning Birmingham broadcaster Nikki Tapper MBE, the evening recognised individuals making a significant contribution to football and their communities across the West Midlands, while celebrating the region’s rich history of Black achievement within the game.

The event brought together an impressive line-up of figures with strong connections to the region, including former England internationals Eni Aluko MBE, Kerry Davis and Tony Daley, former Premier League manager Darren Moore, Wolves legend Bob Hazell, pioneering match officials Sian Massey-Ellis MBE and Lisa Rashid, and Julia Regis.

Football Black List co-founders Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds opened the evening by reflecting on the purpose and evolution of the Football Black List, highlighting the importance of creating spaces that recognise and celebrate the contribution of Black communities to football.

The partnership between the Football Black List, The FA and Birmingham County FA was explored during a discussion featuring Yasir Mirza, EDI Director at The FA, and Kevin Shoemake, CEO of Birmingham County FA.

The conversation focused on the importance of working directly with communities, recognising Black contribution at regional level and ensuring that Black leaders with genuine connections to their communities are represented and supported across both grassroots and professional football.

Yasir Mirza said:

“The Football Black List is a really important part of The FA’s journey towards delivering A Game Free from Discrimination, one of our four strategic gamechangers. It is about improving representation and inclusion while working to eradicate discrimination from the game.”

Kevin Shoemake said:

“Football is for everyone, whether that is on the pitch, off the pitch, in offices or in boardrooms. We need to increase diversity right across the game.”

A central part of the evening saw a group of local figures receive Football Black List awards. Recipients were selected by a panel comprising representatives from Black communities and the football industry across the West Midlands, spanning both professional and grassroots football.

Those recognised included Tony Daley, Dawn Miller, Daniel Allen, Marco Pratt, Myles Mayers, Zeon Campbell-Nottage, Aaron Moses-Garvey, Levi Gray and Wayne Henry. Their awards celebrated contributions spanning community leadership, grassroots development and creating opportunities for others across the region.

Rodney Hinds said:

“The vast majority of Football Black List award winners do what they do with very limited resources, whether that is people or funding. Despite that, they continue to deliver for the teams, organisations and football associations they are involved with.”

Special awards were also presented to Denise Bellingham and Debbie Rogers, mothers of Birmingham-born England internationals Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers. The awards recognised the vital role played by the people and families behind two of the city’s leading footballers.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a special conversation with Birmingham-raised former England international Eni Aluko MBE, delivered in collaboration with the Black Equity Organisation (BEO).

Aluko reflected on growing up in Birmingham and her journey from the city to earning 102 England caps, as well as the importance of representation, leadership and continued action on racial equity. The conversation also highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Football Black List in celebrating Black excellence and amplifying regional voices.

Eni Aluko MBE said:

“It is always special to come back to Birmingham because this is my hometown. When Leon gave me the call, I said straight away: ‘I’ll be there.’”

Leon Mann MBE said:

“We are delighted to be back in Birmingham. You could feel the energy in the room, among the award winners, their guests and our special guest, Eni Aluko MBE.

“It was fantastic to celebrate Eni’s contribution to football in partnership with the Black Equity Organisation. That collaboration helps us reach further into Black communities beyond sport, which is incredibly important to the Football Black List.”

The evening concluded with networking and music from Birmingham-based DJ Mexy, bringing together guests from across Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Coventry, Walsall, Dudley, Smethwick, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull and beyond.