Black History Month celebrates and recognises the contribution of Black individuals across all fields and industries throughout the calendar month.
And Onuoha was full of praise for a handful of former City players who inspired him and played a role in City becoming such a diverse club.
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“Black History Month means a lot to me, it means a lot to a lot of people for so many different reasons because we have our heroes, we have our role models, we have people who if they didn’t do what they did then we wouldn’t be in the position that we’re in today,” explained Onuoha.
“I was very fortunate to speak to Stan Horne recently, he was the first Black player to win Division One, the first Black player for City I think perhaps the second Black player for Aston Villa and these days because you see the diversity that’s involved in football it feels like it’s always been like that but it hasn’t.
“Horne was playing for City in the mid-1960s, that’s the year before England won the World Cup and at that point he was the first Black player for Manchester City which was resisted for over 100 years.
“And I think when you see the importance of him, without him maybe there’s not an Alex Williams. Without Alex Williams there’s not a Shaun Wright-Phillips. Without a Shaun Wright-Phillips maybe there is no me.
“Shaun was one of my favourite players at City. Obviously he was good but then he also looked like me.
“The representation really matters. This is the importance of the history and the trailblazers and the people who make the biggest difference.
“And it’s important to me because when I was growing up it was Thierry Henry and Ian Wright and subconsciously there was a connection there because they look like me so as a consequence it’s a very important month.
“I’m proud to be able to say I formed a part of history myself but I can celebrate all those who came before me as well.”
