Watford captain Troy Deeney is hoping his “bullish approach” can help the FA combat racism and promote diversity and inclusion in football.
Deeney has been appointed to the FA’s Steering Group, who met for the first time this month and have been tasked with the development of the Football Leadership Diversity Code.
The creation of the Code was announced last month and it aims to provide a firm commitment for diversity and inclusion in boardrooms, senior administration and coaching - with grassroots, semi-professional and elite clubs able to sign up to it.
The Steering Group, which also includes the likes of Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish and Tottenham executive director Donna Cullen, are discussing the structure of the code and aim to deliver it by October.
And Deeney is hoping that his bullish approach can help be a voice for change in the fight for great diversity and inclusion.
“The conversations are happening, so that’s good,” Deeney told beIN Sports. “Does that mean things are changing as quick as we can? No. But, the conversations are happening.
“I’m starting to understand that you have to talk a lot more and talk through certain legal hoops to get things to change.
“But ultimately, I’m confident that as long as I’m in the room, I can affect change. And that’s all I’ve asked for, is to help affect change.
“Hopefully my bullish approach might get things a bit more through the door, but you know, I’m not going to sit here and say I’m not willing to put myself on the line and try and push the needle forward. We’ve got a lot of things we need to work on.
“I’m going to try my best to implement change going forward. And you know, if that happens when I’m 50 or when I’m dead and gone, at least have started the conversation.”
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