Rosenior rewarded for tackling discrimination

ALLEGED racist abuse directed at England football player Raheem Sterling and the hurling of a banana skin during a London derby recently shocked the viewing television audience.

But for Leroy Rosenior it was nothing new from his own experiences as an ex-pro at grounds across the country during the late 80s and early 90s.

The 54-year-old has since used his stories to educate thousands of children, making them realise the impact of racism and homophobia, and changing perceptions.

And today his decade of work has resulted in him being included on the Queen’s New Year Honours List to receive an MBE.

As the son of parents Bill and Gladys who came from Sierra Leone to London in the 1950s, he says he has been questioned over he will accept the British Empire title.

But he said: “I will be accepting it. It shows a raising in awareness over racism, how far we have come and a recognition in people who are making a difference.

“My mother and father would be so proud.”

Mr Rosenior lives with his wife Lucy in Portishead, but his career started at Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United in London before a move to Bristol City in 1992.

Managerial spells followed at Gloucester City, Torquay United, Brentford and Sierra Leone.

After retirement he gave a speech to a Unison conference on racism which triggered the opportunity to do talks at schools across the country. Two years ago he was made ambassador for the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.

The initiative organises talks to more than 50,000 young people every year.

He said: “I tell stories not just about what happened to me but also about how it makes people feel. We do workshops where children can say any word they want, then we look at its meaning and impact.

“It is about raising understanding. “Funding to schools has meant there aren’t as many talks as I would like, but we are making an impact.”