Stanley Collymore is a former England international footballer who played for clubs including Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Leicester City during a distinguished career in English football. Known for his powerful playing style and goalscoring ability, Stan has since built a respected career as a sports broadcaster, pundit, journalist, and columnist, using his platform to discuss football, society, and issues affecting players and communities. Stan is also recognised as a compelling BAME speaker, drawing on his experiences in sport, media, and public life to speak about multiculturalism, racism, and equality.
Stan speaks openly about the complex realities of being a Black footballer during an era when racism in English football was far more visible and openly expressed. While the 1990s saw progress in the game, players of colour were still frequently subjected to racist abuse from the stands and wider media scrutiny. Stan’s talks reflect on this period honestly, discussing both the success he achieved and the challenges he faced navigating the sport at the highest level. His perspective helps audiences understand how far football has come, while also highlighting the work that remains to ensure inclusion and respect across sport and society. Stan first rose to prominence at Southend United, where he scored 18 goals in 33 league games to help save the club from relegation in 1993. His performances led to a move to Nottingham Forest, where he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League and was named Nottingham Forest Player of the Season in 1994, as well as being selected in the PFA First Division Team of the Year. In the 1994–95 season he scored 22 Premier League goals, helping Forest finish third and qualify for the UEFA Cup, while also winning BBC Match of the Day Goal of the Month. These achievements led to a British-record transfer of £8.5 million to Liverpool in 1995, where he was named Premier League Player of the Month and helped the club reach the 1996 FA Cup Final. He later joined Aston Villa for a club-record £7 million, and across his career also earned three caps for England, debuting against Japan. In his speaking engagements, Stan often reflects on what it meant to achieve success at the highest level while operating within a football culture that was still confronting issues of racism and representation.
After retiring, Stan transitioned into media and broadcasting, becoming a leading voice in football commentary and discussion. He hosted the popular talkSPORT phone-in show ‘Call Collymore’ for eight years and later won the Radio Sport Documentary Award in 2014 for the programme ‘Kick Off Mental Health’. Through this work, Stan has played an active role in bringing conversations about mental health and racism in sport to the forefront, using his platform to challenge stigma and encourage more open, honest dialogue within football and wider society. Alongside his radio work, Stan has appeared as a commentator and pundit for BT Sport, consulted for the CANAL+ Group in Paris, and produced and presented programming for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including an interview with Pelé. Beyond broadcasting, he is also an established writer and columnist, contributing to publications such as the Daily Mirror, Sunday People, and CaughtOffside, where he frequently addresses issues affecting football culture, including discrimination, equality, and player welfare. Stan has been particularly open about his own experiences in his autobiography, ‘Stan: Tackling My Demons’, where he candidly discusses the pressures of elite sport, racism in football, and mental health challenges. This willingness to share his story has helped drive important conversations within the game. Today, he brings the same passion and advocacy into his talks, using his platform as a BAME speaker to encourage understanding, resilience, and meaningful change.
Stan Collymore brings together the unique perspective of a former elite footballer, experienced broadcaster, and outspoken advocate for equality and wellbeing. Having achieved success at the highest levels of the game while also navigating the challenges faced by Black players during a difficult era in football, he offers audiences a powerful and authentic voice on diversity, resilience, and social change. His work in broadcasting, journalism, and writing, alongside his openness about racism and mental health, demonstrates his commitment to raising awareness and encouraging meaningful conversation. As a BAME speaker, Stan delivers thoughtful, honest, and impactful talks that challenge perceptions, inspire dialogue, and highlight the importance of creating more inclusive environments in sport, business, and society. Hire Stan Collymore with The BAME Speakers Agency today!
