Leroy Rosenior
Encyclopedia
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer
whose clubs included Fulham
, Queens Park Rangers
(for whom he appeared as a substitute in the 1986 League Cup Final
), Bristol City
and West Ham United
.
As one of the few black
football managers in England
, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism
that he experienced as a player and a manager. He has said that there is a glass ceiling
holding back qualified black coaches from getting the top jobs.
Rosenior has managed clubs including Merthyr Tydfil, Torquay
, Brentford
and was assistant to Gary Peters
at Shrewsbury Town
.
His son, Liam
, is a professional footballer.
he also turned out at centre-back, even in goal in a match against . He started at Fulham
, also playing for Queens Park Rangers
, Grimsby Town, West Ham United
, Charlton Athletic
, Bristol City
and Fleet Town
.
He played for England
at Under-16 and Under-21
level but changed allegiance to Sierra Leone
to gain one cap.
After a period as Bristol City's youth team coach Rosenior's first managerial post was with Southern League Premier side Gloucester City
. His first full season in charge saw Gloucester lose a 3rd replay in the FA Trophy
semi-final to and defeat on the final day of the season to cost a place in the Football Conference
with local rivals being promoted. Rosenior left the following season, taking over Bristol City's reserve side.
Rosenior returned to non-league, managing before moving to from July 2002 to January 2006, when he left the club by mutual consent after the 3-1 home defeat to Rochdale
. In his second season in charge he took Torquay to promotion to Football League One
, but was unable to keep them there, experiencing relegation on the last day of the season. The return to Football League Two
heralded the departure of Alex Russell
and Adebayo Akinfenwa
, two of the club's best players. After languishing near the bottom of the league for half the season, Leroy eventually left the club by mutual consent.
In March 2006, he was named first team coach at , acting as assistant to manager Gary Peters
. He left in June 2006 to take up the managerial position at Brentford
, succeeding Martin Allen. Twenty years earlier he had replaced Allen when he came on as a substitute for in the 1986 League Cup
final. Five months after his appointment, Rosenior left the club., after a run of 16 games without a win, which culminated in a 4-0 home defeat to Crewe
.
He was scheduled to take charge of the Sierra Leone national side for a friendly against Leyton Orient
in May 2007, which they won 4-2. It was announced on BBC Radio 5 Live on 27 May 2007 that he would indeed take charge of Sierra Leone in their upcoming African Nations Qualifiers.
Rosenior returned to Torquay United as head coach on 17 May 2007, replacing Keith Curle
but was reportedly sacked after 10 minutes, which gave him the record of the shortest managerial reign in the history of English football. This was because at the same time Torquay were bought by a local consortium who installed Colin Lee
as Chief Executive, Lee then appointed former Gulls player and assistant manager Paul Buckle
as manager.
's coverage of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Other punditry work has included BBC Radio 5 Live
and The Football League Show
. He also appears alongside fellow ex-pro Graeme Murty
and presenter James Richardson
in the BBC South
, BBC South West
and BBC West
local Monday night football round-up show, Late Kick Off
Rosenior is a leading anti-racism campaigner in British football and travels the country working as an ambassador for the Show Racism The Red Card
campaign.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
whose clubs included Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
, Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(for whom he appeared as a substitute in the 1986 League Cup Final
1986 Football League Cup Final
The 1986 Milk Cup Final was a football match held on 20 April 1986 between Oxford United and Queens Park Rangers. Oxford won the match 3–0 to capture the League Cup — their first major honour. Trevor Hebberd opened the scoring in the first half, and Ray Houghton added a second...
), Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
.
As one of the few black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
football managers in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
that he experienced as a player and a manager. He has said that there is a glass ceiling
Glass ceiling
In economics, the term glass ceiling refers to "the unseen, yet unbreachable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements." Initially, the metaphor applied to barriers in the careers of women but...
holding back qualified black coaches from getting the top jobs.
Rosenior has managed clubs including Merthyr Tydfil, Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Brentford
Brentford
Brentford is a suburban town in west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Brent, west-southwest of Charing Cross. Its former ceremonial county was Middlesex.-Toponymy:...
and was assistant to Gary Peters
Gary Peters (footballer)
Gary David Peters is an English former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently Director of Football at Hereford United.-Playing career:...
at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
.
His son, Liam
Liam Rosenior
Liam James Rosenior is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a defender. He is the son of former Brentford manager Leroy Rosenior, and spent time on loan at Torquay United, where his father was manager, during their promotion season .-Club career:Born in London, Rosenior started his...
, is a professional footballer.
Playing career
Rosenior was a striker for most of his career although towards the end of his playing days at Gloucester CityGloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
he also turned out at centre-back, even in goal in a match against . He started at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, also playing for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, Grimsby Town, West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and Fleet Town
Fleet Town F.C.
Fleet Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Fleet, Hampshire, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Athenian League in 1979. In 2004, they joined the Isthmian League First Division, were moved into the Southern League Division One South & West in 2007,...
.
He played for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Under-16 and Under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
level but changed allegiance to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone national football team
The Sierra Leone national football team, nicknamed the Leone Stars, is the national team of Sierra Leone and is controlled by the Sierra Leone Football Association...
to gain one cap.
Coaching and managerial career
- Bristol CityBristol City F.C.Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
(youth team coach) - Gloucester CityGloucester City A.F.C.Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
(player-manager) - Bristol CityBristol City F.C.Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
(youth, reserve and caretaker first team coach) - Merthyr TydfilMerthyr Tydfil F.C.Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:...
(manager) - Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
(manager) - Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury Town F.C.Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
(first team coach) - BrentfordBrentford F.C.Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
(manager)
After a period as Bristol City's youth team coach Rosenior's first managerial post was with Southern League Premier side Gloucester City
Gloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
. His first full season in charge saw Gloucester lose a 3rd replay in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
semi-final to and defeat on the final day of the season to cost a place in the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
with local rivals being promoted. Rosenior left the following season, taking over Bristol City's reserve side.
Rosenior returned to non-league, managing before moving to from July 2002 to January 2006, when he left the club by mutual consent after the 3-1 home defeat to Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
. In his second season in charge he took Torquay to promotion to Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, but was unable to keep them there, experiencing relegation on the last day of the season. The return to Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
heralded the departure of Alex Russell
Alex Russell
Alexander John Russell is an English professional footballer currently plays for Conference National side Bath City. He plays as a central midfielder...
and Adebayo Akinfenwa
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Adebayo Saheed Akinfenwa is an English professional footballer, of Nigerian descent, who plays for Northampton Town.- Life and career :...
, two of the club's best players. After languishing near the bottom of the league for half the season, Leroy eventually left the club by mutual consent.
In March 2006, he was named first team coach at , acting as assistant to manager Gary Peters
Gary Peters (footballer)
Gary David Peters is an English former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently Director of Football at Hereford United.-Playing career:...
. He left in June 2006 to take up the managerial position at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, succeeding Martin Allen. Twenty years earlier he had replaced Allen when he came on as a substitute for in the 1986 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final. Five months after his appointment, Rosenior left the club., after a run of 16 games without a win, which culminated in a 4-0 home defeat to Crewe
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
.
He was scheduled to take charge of the Sierra Leone national side for a friendly against Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in May 2007, which they won 4-2. It was announced on BBC Radio 5 Live on 27 May 2007 that he would indeed take charge of Sierra Leone in their upcoming African Nations Qualifiers.
Rosenior returned to Torquay United as head coach on 17 May 2007, replacing Keith Curle
Keith Curle
Keith Curle is an English former professional football player, who is currently first team coach at Queens Park Rangers.As a player, he was capped three times by England at senior level.-Playing career:...
but was reportedly sacked after 10 minutes, which gave him the record of the shortest managerial reign in the history of English football. This was because at the same time Torquay were bought by a local consortium who installed Colin Lee
Colin Lee
Colin Lee is an English football manager and former footballer. He is currently Chief Executive of League Two side Torquay United and President of Buckfastleigh Rangers Football & Social Club.-Playing career:...
as Chief Executive, Lee then appointed former Gulls player and assistant manager Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...
as manager.
As player
- 1986 League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
runner-up (QPR 0-3 Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
) - 1982 Fulham F.C. Young Player of the Year
- 1987 Fulham F.C. Player of the Year
Other professional interests
Rosenior works as a presenter and pundit on G-Sports, an African Pay-Per-View channel, and for the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's coverage of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Other punditry work has included BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
and The Football League Show
The Football League Show
The Football League Show is a BBC One football television show hosted by Manish Bhasin, featuring highlights from the Championship, League One and League Two. It began on 8 August, 2009, at 11.45pm and immediately follows Match of the Day on Saturdays...
. He also appears alongside fellow ex-pro Graeme Murty
Graeme Murty
Graeme Stuart Murty is a footballer. He has made more than 400 appearances in the Football League playing for York City, Reading, Charlton Athletic and Southampton...
and presenter James Richardson
James Richardson
James Richardson may refer to:*James Richardson , Canadian businessman, Chief Marketing Officer of Cisco Systems*James Richardson , British...
in the BBC South
BBC South
BBC South is the BBC English Region serving West Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, western Berkshire, Oxfordshire, south east Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight.-Television:...
, BBC South West
BBC South West
BBC South West is the BBC English Region serving Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands.-Television:BBC South Wests television service consists of the flagship regional news service Spotlight, the opt-out service BBC Channel Islands, the topical magazine programme Inside Out and a 20-minute...
and BBC West
BBC West
BBC West is the BBC English Region serving Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.-Television:...
local Monday night football round-up show, Late Kick Off
Late Kick Off
Late Kick Off was a BBC One regional television football programme which was launched on 18 January 2010 and ran up to and including the 2010-2011 football season...
Rosenior is a leading anti-racism campaigner in British football and travels the country working as an ambassador for the Show Racism The Red Card
Show Racism The Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism education charity, established in England in January 1996 to harness the high profile nature of footballers as anti-racist role models to educate against racism throughout society in the United Kingdom....
campaign.