First black woman to play for England Davis, to be recognised at FBL celebration

Kerry Davis, the first black woman to play for England, will be celebrated at the Football Black List celebration on Thursday.

Davis, now 61, made her England debut in 1982 and played for the likes of Liverpool and Napoli as a forward during her career.

She will receive the Keith Alexander award and be recognised for her achievements as a pioneer in women's football.

The event, which is supported by the Premier League, will see hundreds of members of the black community come together, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jess Carter and Vincent Kompany on the Football Black List.

The list was founded in 2008 by sports journalists Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds and relies on a panel of experts from the football industry and black community to determine who makes the list.

The list recognises people across eight categories, including coaching and management, players, media and LGBTQI+.

Referee Sam Allison and assistant referee Akil Howson will receive Cyrille Regis awards for becoming the first match officials to work in the Premier League since Uriah Rennier in 2008.

Mann said of Davis' award: 'It is our great honour and privilege to be able to recognise Kerry Davis - the first black woman to play for England. She is a pioneer and a leader who we feel should be more visible to the next generation and celebrated by all those who love football.

'It is a particularly important time to be celebrating women of colour, given the recent abuse of black women both in politics and football. We must stand together and reject this discrimination.'