5 Live black manager doc produced by Input

Broadcast operator Input Media has been commissioned by BBC Radio 5 Live to produce Total Blackout, a new documentary investigating the lack of black managers in British football.

Presented by DJ and radio presenter Spoony, the hour-long programme will air tomorrow night at 8pm on 5 Live, featuring interviews with Sol Campbell, John Barnes, Les Ferdinand and Paul Ince.

Total Blackout aims to persuade football authorities to consider implementing policies to give black people more opportunities in football coaching and management. Just two out of the 92 professional league clubs in British football currently have a black manager.

The programme will be followed on 5 Live by a 60-minute, live debate programme on the issues raised, including whether US-style affirmative action policies should be introduced.

"Total Blackout is a fascinating programme dedicated to looking at the serious issues faced by black footballers in this multi-million pound industry," said Jonathan Parry, head of production at Input Media North.

"The evocative documentary examines how and why such a glaringly unfair situation can be allowed to continue within professional football as we enter the second decade of the 21st Century - particularly when so much else has been done to try and eradicate racism from the terraces and the pitch.

"It is great to be working with commissioner Jonathan Wall and the BBC team on this project, and we look forward to working with them again on future assignments."

Last December, Input Media agreed a two-year deal with the BBC to cover World Bowls, the indoor event that regularly attracts a TV audience of more than 4m viewers.