MANCHESTER’S BLACK community turned out in their hundreds at the Football Black List (FBL) regional event in the city on September 29.

Footballers, administrators, associates and friends converged on the National Football Museum to celebrate awardees and network.

Supported by The Football Association, the event follows on from the visit to Birmingham as the FBL looks to continue taking their show on the road.

Among the Manchester attendees was Manchester United legend, Tony Whelan, athlete Diane Modahl, double Olympic taekwondo medallist, Lutalo Muhamad and former players Joe Thompson, Frazier Campbell and Robert Earnshaw.

The event, endorsed by the Manchester FA, also saw a panel discussion which featured visionary Goals for Girls founder, Francesa Brown, football agent Remmie Williams and Andrew Laylor, a pre-academy coach and former school partnership officer at Manchester United.

The evening was hosted by Sky Sports News presenter Kyle Walker who also hails from Manchester.

Former player, Julian Dowe, said: “It was a great evening as it honoured the work and impact of individuals from the black football community.”

Laura Wolfe, the woman behind the Northwest Football Awards, simply said: “It was an inspirational night.”