Man United’s Marcus Rashford receives Football Black List recognition

England’s and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been fated for his works of charity – eradicating poverty among the marginalized group in the United Kingdom.

The England and Man United ace who played in Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford has been voted in onto the 2021 Football Black List that was revealed today at the National Football Museum in Manchester

Founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, this list highlights and appreciates leaders working across all areas of the game from the black community.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic that brought to a halt many activities in the world, Marcus Rashford did an exemplary works of charity in the society, helping in tackling child poverty which touched many people across the globe.

Also celebrated in this list is Ivan Toney the star forward of the newly promoted Brentford FC, England women who play for Arsenal women Nikita Parris, and Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo have also featured in the Football Black List.

How it is voted

For one to make it into this list votes must be cast. A panel of experts from the football industry and the Black community vote independently on nominations made by the public to determine who makes the list.

This panel includes representation from;

1. The Premier League
2. The Football Association
3. Professional Footballers’ Association
4. League Managers Association
5. English Football League
6. PGMOL – Professional Game Match Officials Limited
7. Sport England, BCOMS and Kick It Out.

The list also celebrates those who have done recognizable work in society and have long gone uncelebrated.

Speaking during the unveiling of the List, Co-founder Leon Mann MBE said, “Black excellence in football is regularly talked about on the pitch and we want to help highlight the contribution of Black leaders off the field in the sport, too.

“This list of influential game changers is a snapshot of the contribution Black communities are making to football. Those named today join an illustrious group who have featured on the list over the last decade including the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ian Wright, Hope Powell, Rio Ferdinand, Herman Ouseley, and Rachel Yankey.”

The Football Black List In Full

Players:

1. Anita Asante, Aston Villa Women
2. Cyrus Christie, Fulham FC
3. Ivan Toney, Brentford FC
4. Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester United and England
5. Nikita Parris, Arsenal Women, and England

Administration:

1. Dayne Matthieu, Head of Safeguarding and Welfare – Tottenham Hotspur
2. Fleur Robinson, CEO – Wrexham FC
3. Paul Monekosso Cleal OBE, Equality Advisor – Premier League
4. Sarah Ebanja, CEO – Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
5. Steve Smithies, CEO – Cheshire FA

Coaching and Management:

1. Darren Moore, Manager – Sheffield Wednesday
2. Justin Cochrane, Head of Player Development – Manchester United
3. Nuno Espirito-Santo, Manager – Tottenham Hotspur
4. Paul Hall, B Team Manager – QPR; Assistant Manager – Jamaica FF
5. William Boye, Chairman, and Manager – Ashford Town Women and Girls’ FC

Commercial:

1. Claudia Wilmot, Operations Director – Leaders in Sport
2. Gus Hurdle, Executive Producer – EA Sports
3. Javan Odegah, Strategic Account Executive – Leaders in Sport
4. Remmie Williams, Commercial Manager – The FA
5. Simbi Sonuga, Senior Account Manager – Octagon

Community and Grassroots:

1. Andrew Laylor, School Partnership Officer – Manchester United Foundation
2. Aneequa Prescod-Wright, Coach – Hackney Laces FC
3. Billy Grant, England fan/Podcast/Blogger – Beesotted
4. Jawahir Roble, Football Coach, and Referee – Jason Roberts Foundation
5. Patsy Andrews, Grassroots Referee – The FA

LGBTQ+:

1. Amy Allard-Dunbar, Youth Panel Education Officer – Football v Homophobia

Media:

1. Ade Oladipo, Presenter – DAZN/talkSport/Sky Sports
2. Alex Scott MBE, Presenter – Football Focus
3. Andrew Spence, Series Producer – Unedited
4. Fadumo Olow, Social Media Sports Editor – The Telegraph
5. Helen Campbell, Multi-Camera Director – Premier League Productions

Practitioners:

1. Aji Ajibola, Referee – FA Council
2. Daniel Mills, Educator – Show Racism the Red Card
3. Drew Christie, Chair – BCOMS
4. Jackie Ferdinand, Director of Safeguarding & Inclusion – West Ham United
5. Liz Ward, Director of Programmes – Stonewall FC