Three Generations: Football, Family and Black Excellence
For 20 years Barclays has been committed to football, and we are proud to be celebrating three generations of an incredible football family’s successes, experiences and history in the game through this special film: “Football, Family and Black Excellence”.
Barclays has been committed to football for 20 years, with partnerships and commitments to grow the elite game, champion grassroots access and support LGBTQ+ causes.
We’re proud to lend our platform to one of our Barclays Football Ambassadors, Ian Wright, his son Shaun Wright-Phillips, and his grandson D’Margio Wright-Phillips, as they share their experiences relating to their personal football journeys, how family has and continues to play an integral part in their lives, and how their impact has showcased Black Excellence in the game and beyond.
With the launch of the Barclays Race at Work Action Plan in October 2020, and appointing our first ever Chief Diversity Officer in March 2021, we’re privileged to have made this film with the Wright family, to showcase this very personal conversation featuring the three of them to educate and inform people about some of these issues, and support our ambitions in relation to race and equality through the lens of football.
Biographies
Ian Wright:
Born to Jamaican parents Herbert and Nesta, Ian’s rise from his childhood in South London to one of the all-time great Premier League strikers is a story of perseverance, passion and extraordinary self-belief. A child of the Windrush generation Ian is popular for his infectious energy, relatability and culturally relevant broadcasting.
For many, Ian is still their footballing hero and their introduction to the beautiful game. Not only is he a Golden Boot winner, he is Arsenal’s 2nd top goal scorer of all time and part of the illustrious Premier League 100 club with 113 goals in the competition. Ian represented England 33 times and was recently shortlisted for the first Premier League Hall of Fame.
As Barclays Football Ambassador, Ian works alongside Barclays to activate and engage fans / communities across their football sponsorships.
Shaun Wright-Phillips:
Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former Premier League footballer who is now a pundit on various platforms including Premier League TV.
He started his career at Nottingham Forest before transferring over to Manchester City’s academy. Shaun’s Premier League heritage is clear to see. A Barclays Premier League champion with 14 seasons under his belt having had spells at QPR, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Like his father, Shaun went onto represent England and has made the transition into TV seamlessly whilst establishing his own way of doing things. One of the hottest prospects in the country at youth level, Shaun rewound time recently with a cameo in this year's Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.
D’Margio Wright-Phillips:
D’Margio Wright-Phillips is a 19-year-old footballer for Stoke City Football who has a big career ahead of him.
Despite being 3rd generation in a footballing family, he is doing things his own way. A product of the Manchester City academy, D’Margio left the Etihad campus in pursuit of first team football.
His electric style of play and persona was evident for all to see with a cartwheel celebration after his first goal for Stoke.
