The benefits of diversity in football boardrooms was the focus of debate at Wembley as the latest cohort of students from the On The Board programme were honoured.
The FA and PFA sponsored programme, run by the Birmingham-based Governance Forum group, is now in its third year with previous graduates including Les Ferdinand, Chris Ramsey and Chris Hughton.
It is a year-long course which teaches former players the fundamentals of the corporate side of the game.
Jason Euell, Charlton Athletic stalwart and now U21s coach at the south London club, was one of the first to collect his certificate.
He said: “It has been a real eye opener for me.
“I have often asked myself how I can affect football in a different way and hopefully at the higher end of pyramid so this was a great opportunity.
“There is always need for change and we’ve seen black players increasingly make the transition from becoming players to coaches. And, should there be a development in my career in say 10 years’ time at board level, then I can say I've had experience of it.
“This course gives a great insight into how an effective board can be run.”
Former England Under-19 head coach Noel Blake joined Euell as one of the recipients.
He added: “Diversity is important in any aspect of life. We have it on the field of play and so that should translate into boardroom positions.
Head of the On The Board programme Karl George MBE (right) poses with Lord Ouseley
“Taking part in the course has not only been terrific focus for me, but it’s allowed me to reconnect with players who’ve I’ve played both with and against over the years.
“One of the key aspects of the course is the importance of networking, and it’s definitely allowed me to do that.”
A number of graduates from last year’s class turned out to support the latest incumbents. Former Birmingham City and Derby County defender Michael Johnson was one and made the trip from his Midlands base.
Johnson said: “It's a great course. The next step is to get more clubs on board. There is three years’ worth of graduates who have now passed the course and waiting to be given a chance.
“It’s great The FA and PFA support it, but clubs need to do more. And more needs to done to get more clubs here to see the talent on offer.”
Many of the graduates from the previous two years have gone on to sit on County FA boards, with Shropshire and Surrey FAs benefiting from the experience of Dave Regis and Soye Briggs respectively.
Former Wimbledon target man Marcus Gayle is another who is now taking his learnings and applying them in the regions.
He added: “On completing the course last year, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire FAs approached me to see whether I wanted to observe some of their board meetings which I jumped at.
Marcus Gayle in his Wimbledon pomp
“The course has enabled me to see a different world. And I agree that clubs need to perhaps engage a bit more with it but that will hopefully come over time.”
The FA’s head of equality, Sue Ravenlaw, said: “It’s a fantastic programme and it’s essential we continue to support.
“The content makes people more confident in those boardroom settings.
“Sixty-five of the people who have passed through the course have now had board experiences with Iffy Onura, Darren Moore and Ben Purkiss just a number of examples. It’s been successful in introducing people to the boardroom environment and opportunities within it.
“Diversity is essential in all walks of life. The talent pool we draw from is bigger, then football will benefit.”
To find out how you can enrol on next year’s course, e-mail elizabeth.muir@thegovernanceforum.com
