Aston Villa and England star, Tyrone Mings, has today been named on the Ugo Ehiogu ‘Ones To Watch’ section of the Football Black List 2019 -a section identifying talented young black people in the British game.
Mings makes the list for his stance addressing racism in football, acting impeccably on his senior England debut against Bulgaria – a game marred by racial abuse in the crowd. The defender has also been commended for his business interests off the pitch, which includes a growing interior design company.
The Ones to Watch, renamed in honour of Ugo, seeks to highlight talented, young people under 30 years of age from an African or Caribbean background who are making an impact within the football industry in the UK.
The section was named after Ugo, who played for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Rangers and England during his career and latterly was a coach at Tottenham Hotspur before he sadly passed away in April 2017. He was a great supporter of the initiative and had previously received a Ones to Watch award for his contributions as a talented, young coach.
The Football Black List, founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, highlights positive influencers from the black community in the sport.
Those on the list come from across the footballing industry from community workers, business owners, current professional players, youth coaches, scouts, foundation executives, football intermediaries, media creatives and broadcasters.
Others on the list include Charlton Athletic Women’s player, Renee Hector, for her work as an anti-racism campaigner, Arsenal and England Women’s forward, Danielle Carter, who sits on the FA Council and Somali-born British football referee, Jawahir Roble.
The Voice Newspaper is the home of the Football Black List which also shines a light on deserving people working at the community and grassroots level of the game who often go uncelebrated.
The initiative creates an opportunity to reflect on diversity within the industry, while also facilitating discussions on how best to address the under-representation of people from African-Caribbean backgrounds.
Ugo exemplified all of the qualities that these young people have exhibited: hard work, dedication, talent, kindness and an ability to inspire others. The list was collated by Ugo’s wife Gemma, his family and the Football Black List founders.
Gemma Ehiogu, said: “The Ugo Ehiogu ‘One to Watch’ award means so much to us because the award celebrates the achievements young black men and women have made at grassroots level. This is what Ugo felt passionately about. Without the support he received from the staff and coaches at Springfield Boys Club in Hackney, he would never have had the confidence, strength and resolve to work his way up to Premiership and International football.
Ugo appreciated and understood everything those coaches gave up for him. Having an award that celebrates those men and women at grassroots level named after him would have filled him with pride.
Alosie Ehiogu : ” My brother Ugo had a passion for nurturing potential in others. That’s why he created development opportunities by coaching young people and investing in their futures. Ugo knew from personal experience that to be supported to achieve was invaluable and life changing.
‘‘The ones to watch’ is a vehicle for up and coming young people to showcase not only their exceptional talent but their commitment to give something back. This award captures Ugo’s philosophy that talent and responsibility go hand in hand as you strive for excellence.”
Ola Ehiogu: “ Ugo held the FBL in high regard as it celebrates black excellence. Ugo understood that the FBL recognises the positive influence , vital role and achievements of black sports men and women and community based grassroots individuals .
Ugo was aware that there was a real need for the celebration of African and Caribbean excellence, especially in these difficult and trying times. Ugo was very happy and proud to see how FBL has created a glowing sense of pride of the achievements of black professional sports men and women and community-based individuals.”
Kelechi Ehiogu: “The black list played a major role in Ugo’s life and he was very proud to be a part of the programme, however we want to continue his legacy because we value all the hard work ethnic minority people do and they deserve recognition for their continued passion and hard work. The time is always right to do what is right. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
Please find the full The Ugo Ehiogu ‘Ones To Watch’ List below:
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ANDREW@FOOTBALLBLACKLIST.COM
