Black History Month
Luton Hat District presents

Dele Sosimi

Friday 21st October
From 7.30 pm
www.culturetrust.com

“I have been playing football for 10 years now and I have never received racial abuse on the pitch that I have heard. Now with all the social media hype it’s giving people a platform to air their views and they don’t seem to be getting punished…”, Dionne Manning, former Luton Town FC, and coach of Warden AFC U7, in Luton, which provides a safe environment to enjoy and develop football skills. 

However, Dionne was concerned about the racial abuse received by black players during  Euro2021. “I was very worried about playing for the next few weeks after that as I thought what would I do if I was racially abused on the pitch how would I handle it ?”, she said.

Women’s football is growing in England…But, the road to success is still long….Dionne suggested that more support is really needed. She gave an example of some celebrities like Ed Sheeran. The financial aspect plays a crucial role in supporting women’s football such as strong sponsorship, travel expenses, etc as it can be very expensive playing.

 “I play for Harlow town ladies currently but live in Luton so it’s costing me a lot each week”, recalled Dionne.   

Born in Luton, Dionne’s passion for football started when she was in primary school.  But, her Afro-Caribbean parents weren’t supportive. “Football was not something that my parents wanted me to be involved in…Mostly,  being a girl and games on Sunday were a big no-no…”.

Despite the lack of support, Dionne’s sport’s ability didn’t disappear.  

“I have switched to hockey and cricket instead….My passion for football arose when O started taking my 4-year-old boy to football training….Then I decided to carry on by joining a team…Even though I advanced in age, I was able to support myself and enjoy football now as a hobby…’ It’s been a  speedy rise and Dionne found a local team,  Dunstable, which signed her off after 10 minutes of the trial.

 “That was the first time I’d kicked a football since high school…”,  claimed Dionne. 

After a successful career there,  Dionne joined Tottenham Ladies  Even though Spurs Ladies weren’t near the heights that time, it was great to be part of such a big club and proud to be playing each week.

 ” After a couple of years the club started to do really well and they wanted to up training from twice a week to 3 times and with a young son and the travel it was, unfortunately, something I couldn’t commit to”. 

Dionne’s talent and skills were scouted by  Luton Town’s connection. ‘I have joined Luton town ladies where I spent the next 4/5 years. Again I achieved great things here like becoming the first-ever woman to represent Luton Town FC in their kit launch. Again I was so proud and excited and for my son to see his mum on the billboards around Luton town stadium etc. I recently left Luton ladies as I’m a person who always wants to push themselves to the highest level I can so as I said I have now gone back to playing national league football and enjoying the tough challenge”.

Dionne’s passion for football led her to focus on her boy’s grassroots football team for 7 years.  In 2016, she then launched her own grassroots football club, Warden AFC in Bedfordshire.

She has been the chair of the club since the launch. 

Dionne is involved in local communities by coaching and scouting footballer including young people.  Her grassroots team has been very successful by winning trophies and major tournaments. 

But she reckoned that “it tough being a black female football manager in what has been and male-dominated environment for years”, indicated regrettably Dionne. 

“I would advise anyone who is passionate about anything in life, not just football not to give him or let anyone hold you back or tell you you can’t do something. Believe in yourself as you only get one life and you have to make the most of it. Doors will close but other doors will always open if you strive to achieve”, she mentioned. 

Interview by @JuniorBadila

“Dressed to the Nines”  by London-born visual artist, designer, maker, photographer, and teacher  Alva Clifford Wilson was celebrated on the 13 of October in Luton, Wardown House, Museum, and Gallery as part of Black History Month’s celebration. 

Alva shares how his heritage and Windrush have inspired his career throughout the years. 

Elegantly dressed, Alva was proud of his parents’ sense of dress in his storytelling.  Living in London in the early ’70s was difficult for any black boy. “I do remember being stopped several times by the Police for just being a black boy…”, he said. “I remember being told by the Police to not get involved in any trouble. …it was not even in my mind to be involved in trouble….I was really frightened…”. 

As far back as he can remember, Alva’s father insisted that he had to follow in his footsteps and inherit his business. At the age of 16,  followed her dream of becoming a fashion designer…” My dad wished me to inherit his successful construction company…”, he recalled. 

Alva’s sense of dressing reflects the way in which black experience has been shaped by cultural exchange, racial discrimination, and political disenfranchisement over the centuries, and how notions of Britishness have in turn been reshaped by the black community.

“I have had the most amazing childhood and the most amazing family…”. Holding a small women’s dress worn in the ’70s.

While Alva’s perspective is uniquely African the Caribbean and uniquely  London in the ’70s, snippets of his Windrush generation upbringing are more than evident in his work. Traditional millinery techniques mixed with a contemporary edge.  

His eyes lit up and became overwhelmed when describing his childhood. His work remains a vital testament to the cultural influence Britain’s black community has had on British society as a whole. 

Alva’s first collection was purchased by The Hat Shop in Covent Garden, London and this became his springboard to sell to other shops in the UK. He went to open ‘The Hat Gallery’ in 1998 at Broadway Market, Hackney E8, and was one of the pioneers who helped regenerate the now striving area. He uses recyclable materials to create headwear to bring environmental awareness. In 2019, he started his solo exhibition at Wardown museum & art gallery.

Reported by @JuniorBadila