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.
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.
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.
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:
Players – Off The Pitch
Nikita Parris – Manchester United
Jess Carter – Chelsea
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
Lyle Foster – Burnley
Coaching and Management
Hope Powell – Technical Director, Birmingham City
Liam Rosenior – Head Coach, Hull City
Vincent Kompany – Manager, Burnley
Nicole Farley – Coach, West Ham
Darren Moore – Manager, Port Vale FC
Media
Helen Campbell – Multi-Camera Director, SCC Media
Miles Addy – Founder, The Content Club
Kevin Ramsey – Director of Studios, Sky
Ade Oladipo – Presenter, DAZN Boxing, talkSPORT
Seb Hutchinson – Commentator, Sky Sports
Commercial
Christina Taylor – Founder, Aim Sky High Talent
Kemi Benjamin – Senior Brand Director, Nike
Roscoe Bowman – Founder, Squad Sports
Ini Umotong – Player Management Executive – Women’s Football Adidas
Kenny Annan -Jonathan – Creative Director, Crystal Palace
Administration
Eartha Pond – Founder, ESP Foundation Charity
Abiola Ijasanmi – Chief Operating Officer, Confederation of African Football
Tony Burnett – Chief Executive, Kick It Out
Malcolm Kpedekpo – Director, Scottish FA
Matthew Ryder KC – Senior Barrister, Matrix Chambers
Community and Grassroots
Cordell Lake-Benjamin – Targeted Intervention Youth Worker at the Palace for Life Foundation
Andrew Ducille – Operations Manager, BCOMS
Billie Graham – Women and Girls Football Development Co-ordinator, Arsenal in the Community
Richard Taiwo – ESOL Teacher and Coach
Solomon Paul – Groundsman, Highfield Rangers FC
Practitioners
Ifeanyi Odogwu – Sports Law, Premier League Judicial Panel
Anika Leslie-Walker – Chair, Manchester FA Inclusion Advisory Board
Marcus Gayle – Club Ambassador, Brentford
Fern Whelan – EDI Women’s Football Executive, PFA
Kerry Downes – CEO, Luton Town FC Community Trust
LGBTQI+ AWARD
Caz Simone – Huddersfield Town Women
Ugo Ehiogu – Ones To Watch
Keah Forino-Joseph – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, The FA
Josh Booth-Sawyerr – Senior Account Manager, Ten Toes
Olivia Portas – Assistant Producer – BBC Sport
Khadidia Timera – Judge, FIFA Dispute Resolute Chamber
William Bitibri – Founder, Down The Wings
Cyrille Regis Award
Sam Allison – Referee, Premier League
Akil Howson – Assistant Referee, Premier League
The Football Black List Celebration will take place on 21st March 2024.
