England stars Trent Alexander Arnold and Jess Carter feature on the Football Black List – an initiative shining a light on the most influential Black people in British football.
Vincent Kompany, one of just two Black managers in English top-flight football, newly appointed Port Vale FC boss Darren Moore, Birmingham City women’s technical director, Hope Powell and Hull City head coach Liam Rosenior also make the list.
The Football Black List, founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, highlights trailblazers working across all areas of the game from the Black community.
Sam Allison and Akil Howson will also be recognised with Cyrille Regis awards for their achievements of becoming the first Black match officials in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie at a ceremony supported by the Premier League, for all those on the list next month in London.
A panel of experts drawn from the football industry and the Black community independently vote on nominations made by the public to determine who makes the list.
The panel included representation from the Premier League, The Football Association, League Managers Association, Professional Footballers Association, English Football League, PGMOL and Kick It Out.
WSL icon Nikita Parris, Burnley forward Lyle Foster and Bundesliga star Jeremie Frimpong are also celebrated as well as Premier League independent director Matthew Ryder KC, Kick It Out CEO, Tony Burnett and CAF’s COO, Abiola Ijasanmi.
The Voice Newspaper is the exclusive home of the Football Black List, creating an opportunity to celebrate individuals whilst also encouraging conversation on how best to address the under-representation of people from African and Caribbean backgrounds off the pitch.
Crucially, the list also helps to shine a light on those working in the community and at grassroots level of the game, who often go uncelebrated.
The list recognises people across eight categories:
The Ugo Ehiogu ‘Ones to Watch’ category – which identifies talented, young people in the industry under 30 years of age – shall also be released alongside the main list.
This year, the Keith Alexander Award will be given to someone who has shown outstanding contribution to the game and the black community. Previously, this award has been accepted by three-time Premier League winner Yaya Toure.
We are delighted to announce that next month the Football Black List celebration will return to London.
Leon Mann MBE, co-founder of the Football Black List, said:
“The Football Black List this year once again serves as a reminder of the positive contribution those of African and Caribbean heritage are making to the game both on and off the pitch. However, we still face significant issues of underrepresentation that require urgent attention.
“On the pitch in the Premier League, 43% of the players are Black, according to the Black Footballers Partnership. But there is an ongoing lack of diversity across all other areas of football – from the Boardroom to the Dugouts. Therefore it is vital we shine a light on the role models leading the way for the next generation to follow into the sport to help address this.”
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.
“It’s now been 15 years since the start of the Football Black List and that is a massive achievement for all those that have backed the initiative. Myself and Leon are grateful.”
Please find the full Football Black List 2023 below:
The Football Black List Celebration will take place on 21st March 2024.
For more information on the 2023 Football Black List Celebration, please contact katiecatherall1@gmail.com
