24 Facts About Anwar Uddin

Anwar Uddin is an English football manager and former player.

Anwar Uddin was born and brought up in Stepney, London to a Bangladeshi father and an English mother.

Anwar Uddin's father came to the United Kingdom in the 1960s.

Anwar Uddin was the first Bangladeshi to play professional football in England and the first British Asian to captain a football club in the top four divisions of English football.

Anwar Uddin began his football career at West Ham United, working his way up through their youth and reserve teams where he was captain.

Anwar Uddin was in West Ham's victorious 1999 FA Youth Cup winning squad that defeated Coventry City.

Anwar Uddin's stay was brief as after the collapse of ITV Digital, Sheffield Wednesday could not afford to keep him due to financial difficulties.

Anwar Uddin moved to Bristol Rovers the following summer after only four months and no appearances.

At the time, Anwar Uddin was just one of only five professional British Asians playing in the Football League and Premiership, where it is estimated that Asians only make up 0.2 per cent of players in clubs' centres of excellence and academies.

On 1 September 2009, Anwar Uddin signed on loan for Grays Athletic.

In 2011, following the departure of manager Martin Allen, Anwar Uddin was appointed as caretaker assistant-manager to Giuliano Grazioli at Barnet making him the first ever British-Asian to take up a coaching position in English football.

On 30 January 2012, it was announced that Anwar Uddin had had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

In June 2013, Anwar Uddin retired from football and left Eastbourne in order to pursue a career in football coaching.

In 2011 after the departure of Martin Allen from Barnet to Notts County, Anwar Uddin stepped into an assistant management position under Giuliano Grazioli with the club sitting in the relegation zone and on the brink of relegation.

Grazioli and Anwar Uddin helped Barnet win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup.

Anwar Uddin resumed his playing duties as club captain with the arrival of Lawrie Sanchez.

In May 2016, Anwar Uddin left Sporting Bengal after leading the club to their record Essex Senior League points tally.

Anwar Uddin left the club in January 2019 by mutual consent and joined Maidstone United as first team coach.

In February 2024, Anwar Uddin was appointed assistant manager of Ebbsfleet United following a successful interim period, supporting Danny Searle.

Anwar Uddin departed the club alongside Searle in September 2024 following a poor start to the season.

Anwar Uddin was eligible to play for the national teams of England and Bangladesh.

Anwar Uddin is the diversity and inclusion manager at the FA.

Anwar Uddin has a full-time role with the Football Supporters' Federation as Diversity and Campaigns Manager in partnership with Kick It Out.

Anwar Uddin was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to association football.