As part of Black History Month, Chelsea Football Club, in collaboration with The FA, hosted a landmark event entitled 'Beyond the Pitch: Centred on Culture, Heritage and Innovation' at Stamford Bridge. One of the centrepieces of the evening was the introduction of a brand-new group dedicated to celebrating heritage, fostering inclusion, and promoting innovation within football, both on and off the pitch.
Chelsea Roots was launched during an evening which also featured inspiring speakers, a creative showcase and opportunities for networking with the wider footballing community.
This new group is an internal network within Chelsea for those from underrepresented heritage. Its goal is to continue to foster an inclusive culture for all and be a voice and champion of the diverse landscape in football and beyond.
In addition to this important step forward, _Beyond the Pitch_ formed part of The FA’s _Your Game, Your Way_ initiative, which aims to connect and empower the wider football community from grassroots level to the professional game. The event brought together a truly diverse audience from across the footballing landscape, including grassroots champions, community leaders, and former professional players, in a powerful celebration of heritage, collaboration and progress within the sport.
Hosted fittingly in the Canoville Suite, named in honour of the first Black player in our men's team, the evening featured an inspiring conversation with Paul Canoville himself, alongside Kerry Davis, the trailblazing first Black woman to represent England’s women’s national team. Their reflections on resilience, allyship and shared responsibility for driving inclusion offered a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to build a game where everyone feels seen, valued and supported.
Canoville said: ‘Black history is so important to me. It is great to see Chelsea Foundation doing events just like this. It means a lot to us and it means a lot to the community.’
There was a panel discussion with key figures from both Chelsea’s and The FA’s EDI teams, and the wider football community. Also on display was a creative showcase of the talented Shanna Bent’s Black History Month England Football shirt. She is the founder of Maison Bent, a fashion label rooted in heritage, sustainability and inclusivity.
Trisha Champaneri, DEI and culture lead for Chelsea FC, summed up the evening by saying: ‘We were delighted to partner with The FA for such an important and iconic event. We’ve chosen this moment as the official launch of Chelsea Roots – our internal network for those from underrepresented heritage.
‘It seemed like a fitting addition to an evening of reflection, celebration and inspiration. As a club, we are making great strides in our work to embed true inclusion across all areas, and amplifying that work is key to creating wider change.’
Jamie Dapaah, FA communities lead (London region), added: 'The _Beyond the Pitch Event_ reminds us that allyship and unity are at the heart of football’s progress. When we take the time to listen, learn, and act with empathy, we strengthen the connections that make our game so powerful. It’s through shared understanding and collective action that we create environments where everyone feels they belong on and off the pitch.'