What does it take to dedicate three decades to making football more inclusive?
For Terry Singh, the journey began on the community pitches of Leicester in 1992. What followed was not just a coaching career, but a lifelong commitment to using football as a vehicle for opportunity, representation and social change — a journey that would eventually stretch from the Midlands to the classrooms and football fields of China.
Early Beginnings in Leicester
Born and based in Leicester, Terry began his coaching career with the Leicester City Football Community Scheme. Like many grassroots coaches, he started with a simple love of the game. But very quickly, it became something more.
By the mid-1990s, Terry was already speaking up about representation and access in football. In 1996, he addressed the National Football Association’s Asians in Football Conference in Oldham, highlighting the need for greater opportunity and visibility for British Asians within the sport.
In 1999, he appeared on BBC Football Focus to discuss the same issue — a topic that, decades later, remains deeply relevant.
Recognition followed. In 1998, Terry was ranked number 85 in The Mirror and Goal Magazine’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers in Football — a significant acknowledgement of his growing influence as a leading Asian voice advocating for inclusion in the game.
Yet for Terry, the recognition was never the goal. The work was.
In 2022, he marked 30 years in coaching — a milestone that reflects not just longevity, but sustained impact.
Building Strong Foundations
Terry’s work has always been underpinned by professional development and education. He holds a UEFA B Coaching Licence, is a qualified FA referee and Talent ID scout, and has a Diploma in Youth Work.
That combination is significant.
For Terry, football has never been just about tactics or winning matches. His background in youth work shaped a broader philosophy: the game can build confidence, create belonging and open doors — particularly for young people who may otherwise feel excluded.
It is this holistic approach that would later shape one of the most distinctive chapters of his career.
Pioneering Grassroots Football in China
In 2004, Terry made a bold decision. At a time when structured grassroots football was still developing in China, he became one of the first foreign coaches working at middle school level.
It was a step into the unknown — culturally, professionally and personally.
Working across institutions including Yunhe Middle School, Nanjing No. 4 Middle School, Zhengzhou Middle School and Beijing Sport University, Terry introduced structured mini-league systems, formal coaching curriculums and English-language football education programmes.
While his teams achieved championship success, his greater contribution was establishing sustainable grassroots frameworks within school environments — systems that blended sport and education in meaningful ways.
During his more than a decade in China, Terry also contributed articles to China Daily, advocating for education-focused football development and long-term grassroots investment.
He has since described his time in China as a spiritual journey — one that broadened his global perspective and reinforced his belief that football is a universal language capable of bridging cultures, communities and continents.
Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Today, Terry continues to play an active role in shaping inclusive football environments in the UK.
He serves as an FA EDI Community of Practice Ambassador and is a member of the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA Football Council, contributing to both the Coaching Working Group and Inclusion Advisory Group. He is also a former FA Community Champion.
His commitment to inclusive fan culture led him to found and lead Leicester for All — an inclusive supporters’ group connected to Leicester City FC and aligned with the national Fans for Diversity initiative. The group promotes welcoming, diverse and representative football fandom, ensuring the matchday experience reflects the communities football serves.
Terry’s work has also been featured in the My City My Shirt project, exhibited at Wembley Stadium, King Power Stadium and Emirates Stadium — recognition that reflects his sustained contribution to building inclusive football spaces.
Continuing the Mission
As of 2026, Terry remains actively engaged in grassroots and community football.
He delivers coach education workshops, supports FA initiatives such as Black History Month and Apna England, organises community football tournaments and mentors young coaches and players from diverse backgrounds.
His work consistently reinforces football’s potential as a tool for:
- Social mobility
- Community cohesion
- Cultural understanding
- Leadership development
And perhaps most importantly — representation.
After more than 30 years, his motivation remains clear: to ensure the game reflects the diversity of the communities that love it.
A Legacy Beyond the Game
Terry Singh’s story is not simply about coaching badges, rankings or overseas experience.
It is about perseverance.
It is about leadership.
It is about believing that football can — and should — belong to everyone.
From Leicester’s community pitches to school fields in China, and from national media platforms to grassroots tournaments, his journey demonstrates the power of sport when it is rooted in purpose.
For Terry, football has never been just about winning matches. It has always been about opening doors.
And after three decades of dedication, his life’s work continues to prove one simple truth:
Football is for everyone.
Terry Singh
