Dogged Darren Sets His Sights High



Moore Determined Defender

Like many in professional football retired defender Darren Moore is shocked at the lack of black managers in the game.

However, like his no-nonsense bullish defending he's determined to reverse the trend in his long-standing desire to become a football manager himself.

The shortage of black managers in the game has been well documented, with at present only Norwich City Manager Chris Hughton, Chris Powell at Charlton and Paul Ince of Blackpool in top positions within the professional leagues.

Moore, who former clubs include Derby, Wolves and Blackburn Rovers, concedes that these types of statistics are a cause for concern but nevertheless would not deter him from pursuing a career in management.

He said: "I am trying to go about it the right way by gaining my coaching qualifications. But it is important people look at the fact that in our British game about 25% of all players are from a black and ethnic minority background. Although 21% of black coaches are currently holders of the UEFA A Licence, there are only 2% of black managers that are in first-team management roles in our professional game that is alarming.

"Players are going through their playing careers undertaking coaching and management courses and when they come out the other side and apply for these jobs for whatever reason many are not getting the positions.

"It could be they are not good enough, so let's not take that out of the equation. It could be a whole host of different avenues to look at, let's not just look at it and say it's just about race but at the same time you have to probably add that in there as well.

"All I can do is go down the rightful measures and undertake my coaching badges because I can do something - obtain that licence and qualification - to try to minimise somebody not wanting to give me the job."

Moore who retired from the game earlier this year after a successful career spanning almost 20 years, knows of former players like himself who have turned their back on a career in management or coaching as they perceived that their race was denying them opportunities. But he is hopeful that he will not experience such discrimination.

"There are a lot more people who are more high profile than myself that have been discouraged. For them to say they have been discouraged is worrying for me and if that is the case then I'm pretty saddened by it," the 39-year-old said.

In American football the 'Rooney Rule' was introduce to ensure minority candidates have more of an opportunity to land NFL coaching roles. Under the scheme, NFL clubs must shortlist at least one minority candidate when appointing a coach and the former Jamaican international sees no reason why English clubs should not adhere to a similar rule.

Moore says: "It can only help to promote equality within the game, because we have seen it being successful in America and we have seen the inclusion of so many black and ethnic managers in American football. I think certainly, why not look at something like that for our game to ensure everybody has got that equal opportunity to succeed?"

Having been such an inspirational leader during his career, making 600 appearances for eight clubs and being in the select few who have played in all four divisions in England, Moore is determined to do the same off the field. The active anti-racism campaigner is hoping to inspire a new wave of black and minority coaches to fulfil their ambitions of becoming managers.