Patrick Vernon

The Windrush Generation refers to those who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and the early 1970s, invited to help rebuild the country after World War II. Despite their crucial contribution to British society, many faced discrimination and hardship. What our communities need are actions without words. The 2018 Windrush Scandal exposed how thousands were wrongly detained, denied legal rights, and even deported, sparking a national reckoning with institutional racism and immigration injustice.

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Windrush Day was officially established in the UK in 2018, marked every year on June 22 on the anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

The government announced the creation of the landmark day following the Windrush Scandal and in recognition of the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. It was part of a broader commitment to acknowledge the injustice and celebrate the legacy of Caribbean communities in Britain.

Hosted by Ericka Williams, Nottingham Forest’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, the Conference focused on the importance of meaningful progress and the huge Windrush legacy.

Williams emphasised that “what our communities need are actions without words,” reminding attendees that the event was about “honouring those who paved the way.”

The conference brought together a powerful mix of people, including community leaders, former players, club representatives, and experts in equality work. Among them were Viv Anderson MBE, Jason Lee, Clive Foster MBE, Simone Pound, Edleen John, Richard Offiong, John Olaleye, and Sunder Katwala.

The morning began with powerful remarks from Clive Foster MBE, the newly appointed and first-ever Windrush Commissioner, who described the event as “a memorable occasion.” He chaired the opening panel, which sparked a vital discussion on ‘Why the Windrush Matters Today.’ Patrick Vernon OBE added to the conversation by highlighting the unique role sport can play in “bringing people together.”

The day’s discussions centred around three panels, each exploring different themes. The first, ‘Why Windrush Still Matters Today,’ examined the generation’s ongoing impact, with Patrick Vernon explaining that if “Black players in the Premier League stopped playing for a day then the league would come to a standstill”.

‘Celebrating History in Sport and Community’ highlighted Black excellence in football. Viv Anderson, the first Black player to win a full England cap, reflected on how sport challenged racism but also acknowledged the work still to be done. He praised former Forest manager Brian Clough for “believing in” him and giving him “his place in the team on ability.”

Yet Anderson also expressed disappointment at the continuing lack of Black managers and boardroom representation, saying: “It’s never materialised and that’s a change we need to see.”

Former Forest star Jason Lee, now Equalities Education Executive at the Professional Footballers’ Association, spoke movingly about the importance of representation. “When you see people, it makes you think you can be like them too,” he said, recalling the “deep trauma” of facing racism throughout his career.

The final panel, ‘How Can Football Keep Building an Inclusive Society?’ looked to the future. Edleen John, former FA Director for Equality, urged clubs and organisations to make stadium environments “more welcoming and inclusive for all.”

Richard Offiong, a campaign coordinator at Show Racism the Red Card, shared his personal experiences of feeling like an outsider growing up in Newcastle. He stressed that “this is a societal issue and not just a football problem.”

Throughout the day which put the Windrush legacy under the microscope, personal stories and cultural celebrations brought warmth and energy to the event. Attendees enjoyed Jamaican-style barbecue burgers for lunch and took part in roundtable discussions, sharing ideas on how to best mark Windrush Month now and in the future to continue the legacy.

KEEN FOR REPRESENTATION: Former Forest star Jason Lee is now working for the PFA

“We came here as individuals who had a common goal to share but we now leave as a community”

Windrush Day 2025 was not just about reflecting on the past – it was also a call to action. Many panellists urged that the progress made must continue.

Looking ahead, Sunder Katwala highlighted the opportunity presented by the UK hosting the Euro 2028 tournament and marking the 80th anniversary of Windrush. He described it as “a really big moment” for the nation to demonstrate its commitment to inclusion and celebrate how far it has come.

As the day drew to a close, the message was clear: Windrush Day is a time to honour history, but more importantly, to build a future where equality, diversity, and inclusion are lived realities – on and off the pitch.

Nottingham Forest and Leicester City both pledged to continue to support the movement with the Forest Community Trust sharing their ‘Forest for Everyone’ work and what has been achieved in the last year.

In her closing remarks, host Ericka Williams captured the day when she said: “We came here as individuals who had a common goal to share but we now leave as a community, filled with love and hope.”

The day ended with a group photo on the pitch at the City Ground where everyone was smiling, reflecting a sense of togetherness. Similar events will be held throughout the year in the coming months.

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