Manchester United partner with Stormzy and adidas for #MERKYFC campaign

Thursday 03 November 2022 10:00

Manchester United have been announced as one of the partners for adidas and Stormzy’s #MERKYFC campaign, which launched today.

The movement is committed to enhancing and protecting diverse representation in football, by providing a multitude of UK-based football career opportunities for young people of Black heritage.

Those aged between 18 and 25 will be able to apply for the nationwide programme from 4 November, with Manchester United being one of the partners who will be part of the careers programme.

In addition to support, the 10 leading brands, also including the likes of Sky Sports, LADbible and fellow Premier League side Fulham FC, have pledged entry-level roles within their business.

Manchester United have pledged roles within the Alliances & Partnerships, Ticketing, Technology and Retail & Merchandising departments at the club.

United x #MERKYFC Video

United x #MERKYFC

Stormzy and adidas launch #MERKYFC to change the game for diverse representation in football...

The launch of #MERKYFC follows adidas’s research, conducted with FARE Network, which revealed that only 6.7 per cent of senior roles in football are occupied by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage.

The programme aims to tackle the issues young people face when their dreams of becoming a Premier League football fade, as only 26 per cent of Black British men aspire to be involved in football off the pitch.

More than half of Black British youth say that they have faced discrimination when applying for white collar roles in the past, with Stormzy – along with the partner brands which includes Manchester United - aiming to change the game and offer equal opportunities.

Following the launch, Stormzy, founder of #Merky Foundation, said: “Just 6.7% of senior roles in football are taken by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage. We barely see any black Team Managers, Coaches, Sports Presenters, Assistants, Ops Managers, Sales Managers, Accountants, Marketing Managers or Physiotherapists - the list goes on, nor are many of us even aware of the vast roles available within the football industry. Through the #MerkyFC initiative we hope to inspire real change within this field as part of my wider commitment to support racial equality in the UK. 

With the support of adidas and the additional 10 partners, we will be in a position to aid the people who may have experienced disadvantages during their football career pathway. We strongly encourage other companies to join us in our mission.”

Manchester United have pledged entry-level roles at the club as part of our commitment to Stormzy's #MERKYFC movement.

adidas said: “We are passionate about providing inclusive opportunities to young talent in the UK. We are proud to be working in partnership with Stormzy to introduce #MERKYFC, an initiative that directly tackles some of the biggest barriers facing UK youth in football today, by creating a legacy of career opportunities off the pitch alongside the other partners. Along with the support of our network of adidas partners, we are committed to fighting for racial equality in football, and this launch is only the beginning for #MERKYFC. Watch this space.”

Young Black heritage candidates can visit merkyfc.com to find out more and register their interest in the roles available, with the nationwide application process launching on Friday 4 November.

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