The 2014 Football Black List, an initiative highlighting the most influential individuals from the black community in football in the UK has been launched.

The list includes Heather Rabbatts, the first woman and first person of an ethnic minority background to sit on English FA Board; Jason Roberts, the recently retired footballer and campaigner; current African Player of the Year, Yaya Toure, and Stephen Lyle, programme editor of the BBC Match Of The Day 2.

Current players, administrators, campaigners
Current players include Liverpool’s Kolo Toure, who sits on the Professional Footballers’ Association management committee, and Arsenal and England star, Rachel Yankey OBE, who runs her own successful football academy, also make the list.

Founded by sports journalists, Leon Mann, of Fare members BCOMS, and Rodney Hinds, the initiative seeks to shine a light on the achievements of the black community in football - but away from the pitch.

The Black List also provides a moment to reflect on how diverse the football’s industry is and discuss the under representation of people from African and African Caribbean backgrounds.

Leon Mann said, “The list highlights those who the black community sees as its most influential and powerful in the game.

‘One day there may be no need to recognise minority struggles’
“Every year there are those who suggest the list is divisive as it only celebrates black achievement. The minority experience in many walks of life is different to what many others face. In football it is particularly hard. The lack of diversity across the football industry – away from the pitch – reflects this reality.

“One day there may be no need to recognize a minority struggle – but today there most certainly is.”

Sports reporter Jess Creighton, former Birmingham and Jamaican international footballer, Michael Johnson joined Mann and Hinds on the judging panel.

The Black List, which is in it sixth year, in its entirety is:

MEDIA
Stephen Lyle, Editor – MOTD2

Stan Collymore, Broadcaster - TalkSport

Samantha Johnson, Presenter – The Sun Online

Natasha Henry, Sports writer – The Voice Newspaper

Adrian Kajumba, Football Writer – Daily Star

ADMINISTRATION
Michael Emenalo, Technical Director – Chelsea FC

Patrick Vieira, Football Development Executive – Manchester City FC

Heather Rabbatts CBE, Chair of FA Inclusion Advisory Board – The FA

Bobby Barnes, Deputy Chief Executive - PFA

Lord Ouseley, Chairman – Kick It Out

MANAGEMENT/COACHING
Chris Ramsey, First team coach – Tottenham Hotspur FC

Les Ferdinand MBE, First team coach – Tottenham Hotspur FC

Chris Powell, Former Charlton Athletic Manager

Jason Euell, Senior Development Coach – Charlton Athletic FC

Chris Hughton, Former Norwich City Manager

COMMERCIAL
Ray James, Senior Sales Manager – Manchester City FC

Aidy Ward, Football Advisor F

rancis Nkwain, Football Advisor

Andy Ansah, Sports Choreographer

Karl George MBE, Corporate Governance Practitioner

COMMUNITY
Les Fevrier, for his community work in Hackney

Troy Townsend, Mentoring Manager – Kick It Out

Trevor Hutton, AFC Wembley

Jason Roberts, Chief Executive – Jason Roberts Foundation

Shaun Campbell, Founder – Arthur Wharton Foundation

PLAYERS
Yaya Toure, Manchester City FC – for speaking out about lack of recognition for African players

Kolo Toure, Liverpool FC – PFA Management Committee member

Rachel Yankey OBE, Arsenal and England – runs successful Rachel Yankey Academy

Jermain Defoe, Toronto FC – for his work with the Jermain Defoe Foundation Lianne Sanderson, Boston Breakers and England – founder of the JoLi Academy