Child food campaign earns Rashford a place on the Football Black List

(Archive) Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford during the UEFA Champions league group H football match between Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 24, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford during the UEFA Champions league group H football match between Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 24, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford has earned a place in the Football Black List following his campaign to tackle child food poverty. Rashford has made the 2020 list – which celebrates positive influencers from the Black community in the sport – for his work in successfully lobbying Government for an extension of free school meal provision.

The Football Black List was founded by Rodney Hinds and Leon Mann in 2008. Members are selected by an expert panel from the Black community and football industry.

Other players joining Rashford on the list are Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chloe Morgan, for raising awareness of Black inclusion and LGBT+ representation in the women’s game, Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings and Watford’s Troy Deeney for challenging racial injustice and Palace forward Wilfried Zaha for his efforts to support nurses during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hinds said: “Yet again the Football Black List has unearthed many in the community that are doing great work.
“The efforts of Marcus Rashford deserve acclaim alongside the others on the list who go about their business for the good of others.
“After a year of challenges, it is great to be provided with inspiration.”

The full Football Black List:

Players: Chloe Morgan, Crystal Palace Women, Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester United and England, Troy Deeney, Watford, Tyrone Mings, Aston Villa and England, Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace and Ivory Coast.

Administration: Edleen John, Director of International Relations, Corporate Affairs and Diversity – The FA, Eniola Aluko, Sporting Director – Aston Villa FC Women, Jade Morgan, General Manager – Leicester City Women, Les Ferdinand MBE, Director of Football – Queens Park Rangers, Marie Gabriel CBE, Chairperson – West Ham United Foundation.


Coaching and Management : Alex Dyer, Manager – Kilmarnock FC, Ashley Bosah & Cornelius Nwadialor, Joint Managers – Tooting & Mitcham FC, Jason Euell, Under 23 Head Coach – Charlton Athletic FC, Karleigh Osborne, Women’s Head Coach – Brentford FC, Tony Whelan, Assistant Academy Director – Manchester United

Commercial : Ashanti George-Faure, Senior Talent Manager – Refresh Sports, Faina Msellam, Sports Industry Advisory Board Member – Birkbeck Sport Business Centre, Marvin Robinson, CEO – Fresh Ego Kid, Nathan Thompson, Commercial Director – West Ham United, Warren Haughton, Director, Haughton Consultancy

Community and Grassroots : Diane Sawyers, Operations Manager – Holford Drive Community Sports Hub, Duke Harrison-Hunter, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer – Pompey in the Community, Emma Trent, Head of Programmes – Notts County Football in the Community, Harold Bennett, Founder – North London United, Dr. Michael Seeraj, Head of Equality Diversity & Inclusion – Charlton Athletic FCLGBT+ : Annette Nelson, Education Lead – Football v Homophobia

Media : Carl Anka, Football Reporter – The Athletic, Charlene Gravesande, Special Projects Journalist – Sky Sports, Hugh Woozencroft, Sports Broadcaster – talkSPORT, Jessica Creighton, Sports Reporter – Sky Sports, Micah Richards, Freelance Broadcaster

Practitioners : Hayley Bennett, Founder – WeAreNutmegs, Jason Lee, Equalities Education Executive – PFA, Marvin Robinson, CEO – Peterborough United Foundation, Dr. Matt Ogunsanya, Club Doctor – Watford FC, Sam Allison, National Group Referee – PGMOL Sponsored line.

— Story by Sammy Wejinya

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