In a new documentary commissioned by Kick It Out and set to air on Sky Sports News and at Wembley on Monday, Sir Alex Ferguson describes Lord Ouseley as “fearless” and a “true leader” after his sad passing last October.
Ferguson was supportive of Lord Ouseley in his fight against discrimination from the start after he founded Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993, a campaign that later evolved into Kick It Out, the game’s leading anti-discrimination organisation.
Serving as chair for 25 years, Lord Ouseley was an unrelenting advocate for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities, and his legacy continues to shape the game today.
In the 10-minute film which is aimed at educating a new generation of football fans and players about Lord Ouseley’s impact on the game, former England winger John Barnes describes him as “a pioneer” and former England manager Hope Powell said: “He gave people of colour a voice they’d never had before. It wasn’t just about racism, he also worked to create opportunities for women in football.”
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, who also features, said: “I’m so thankful to him for creating Kick It Out and making it safer for us as players. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t had the boldness to stand up and fight?”, while Troy Townsend, former Kick It Out head of player education called him a “superhero.”
Maheta Molango, Professional Footballers’ Association CEO, added: “Lord Herman Ouseley was a real pioneer, breaking down barriers and making sure football was for everyone. The PFA stood proudly next to him from day one.”
An excerpt of the film will be shown across Kick It Out, Sky Sports and FA channels on Monday, and will also be played on the big screen at Wembley ahead of kick-off for manager Thomas Tuchel’s second game in charge of England. The 10-minute documentary will be available on YouTube and will also be distributed to schools to act as an educational tool and a lasting legacy to Lord Ouseley’s impact on football.
On a special evening on Monday, The FA will also present legacy caps to Viv Anderson, the first black player to play for the England men’s team and Luther Blissett, the first black player to score in a men’s England shirt, in a ceremony at Wembley in advance of the match. FA Chair Debbie Hewitt will lead the presentation and be joined by Kick It Out Chair Sanjay Bhandari.
In addition, Kick It Out branding with a dedicated #ThankYouHerman message will feature on LED perimeter boards at Wembley during the World Cup qualifier.
To further mark the occasion, three Kick It Out Raise Your Game delegates will have the opportunity to cover the evening as part of efforts to continue empowering the next generation. Raise Your Game is a Kick It Out initiative designed to create opportunities for underrepresented groups to take their first steps in the football industry.
Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor said: “Lord Ouseley’s impact on football is immeasurable. His dedication to tackling discrimination and creating opportunities paved the way for so many of the positive changes we see today. It’s only right that we take this opportunity to remember and honour his work and use this film to help educate a new generation about his impact and how it can be continued.
“Lord Ouseley’s vision to establish Kick It Out marked a fundamental shift in football’s approach to tackling discrimination. Today, fans and players alike are more aware of discrimination and how to challenge it, a testament to his relentless drive to make football a more inclusive space. We are all incredibly thankful for his tireless work in the game and we are determined to continue what he started.”
A 2023 impact report by Kick It Out found that 73% of fans believe football has become more inclusive since the organisation was founded, and the majority said there was less discrimination than there was 30 years ago, a clear sign that Lord Ouseley’s work still resonates today.
Clubs, fans, and organisations are encouraged to share their tributes using #ThankYouHerman.
Tributes from the Football Community
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Herman was fearless. He was an inspiration to many and a true leader.”
Hope Powell, England’s first black manager, added: “He gave people of colour a voice they’d never had before. It wasn’t just about racism and the suffering of black people, he also worked to create opportunities for women in football.”
Former England and Liverpool winger John Barnes: “His legacy should be as a pioneer for tackling the issue of racism, to make opportunities for black people.”
Paul Elliott, the Premier League’s first black captain and vice-chair at Charlton Athletic, said: “Herman stood up to English football when it was in denial about racism. He was a volunteer, but this became his whole world. He used his power and influence to drive real change.”
Troy Townsend, former Head of Player Engagement at Kick It Out and anti-racism educator, said: “If you think of your very best superhero, that’s Herman Ouseley. At a time when I believe this country was failing black people, there he was, and he allowed black players to flourish. In creating Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football, he started a movement to challenge discrimination, something we’d never seen before.”
Roy Hodgson, former England, Liverpool and Fulham manager, said: “The legacy he leaves is quite incredible. Today we see a totally different world when it comes to racism in football.”
Maheta Molango, PFA CEO, said: “Lord Herman Ouseley was a real pioneer, breaking down barriers and making sure football was for everyone. He started Kick It Out and the PFA stood proudly next to him from day one. He gave a voice to those who needed it and made sure no injustice was left without being accounted for.”
“Today it is our duty to honour his legacy and the best way to do that is to continue pushing forward. The fight is far from over and we need to be sure we use the power of football as a global influence to continue to inspire the next generation.”
