Brentford Women’s FC Head Coach Karleigh Osborne has been named on the Football Black List – an initiative celebrating the most influential Black people in the British game.

A League Two title-winner during his playing days at Brentford, Karleigh has been Brentford Women’s Head Coach since 2018. Karleigh joins the likes of Marcus Rashford, Tyrone Mings, Troy Deeney, Wilfried Zaha and Chloe Morgan on this year’s list.

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.

A panel of experts from the Black community and football industry vote independently on nominations made by the public to determine who makes the list. The panel included representation from the Premier League, The Football Association, Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers Association, English Football League, PGMOL, FARE, BCOMS and Kick It Out.

Speaking about the recognition, Karleigh said: “It’s a massive honour to be named on the Football Black List - to be named amongst such prestigious people is a fantastic thing for me. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do [with Brentford Women’s FC] without the staff around me and the girls being so willing to get behind the philosophy and culture we’re trying to build. As much as I’m getting the accolades, it’s a real team effort.”

Co-founder of the initiative, Leon Mann, added: “The global Black Lives Matter protests has made the game reflect on its own diversity and relationship with Black communities. The Football Black List provides a snapshot of the wonderful contribution the Black community makes to the national sport. We hope it inspires the next generation of Black leaders to follow those listed and the initiative helps encourage the football industry to put diversity at the top of the agenda – where it needs to be to make much needed progress in this area.”