The controversial Rooney Rule is a topic that’s dominating English football at the moment.

Just three managers and 17 coaches from a black and ethnic minority background currently hold positions in the top five divisions in the country and there have been calls to rectify that.

One solution could be the introduction of the Rooney Rule, used in the NFL, which states that at least one candidate from a black or ethnic minority background is given an interview for every coaching role that arises in the league.

The rule has its critics, with Titus Bramble labelling it a ‘disgrace’, Keith Curle, the current manager of Carlisle, fearing it would do nothing more than tick a box and Les Ferdinand saying the process would be flawed as many chairman already have a replacement lined up when they go looking for a new manager and do not conduct interviews.

Others, such as FA chairman Greg Dyke and former Wigan striker Jason Roberts are all for it.

Another local figure who can see potential in its introduction is Hadleigh United coach Ian Brown, who spent time playing in the Football League with Birmingham and Bristol City, before playing locally and then going on to manage Whitton United.

He reveals in today’s Ipswich Star that he only played under one black manager or coach in 20 years as a player, but also admits that he rarely sees people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds on the coaching courses he attends.

He gives his views on the Rooney Rule and why he would not be insulted to be given an interview just because he was black.

For the full interview with Brown, now a personal progress tutor at Suffolk One College, see today’s Ipswich Star.