Jason Brown welcomes Football League 'Rooney Rule' plan

Brown won three caps for Wales between 2006 and 2012

Ex-Wales goalkeeper Jason Brown has welcomed a Football League plan to to boost the numbers of black managers.

The plan is a version of American Football's 'Rooney Rule'.

It will see clubs interview one black minority ethnic (BME) candidate for each head coach or manager role from the 2016-17 season.

Brown says other organisations should follow suit: "It's concerning that the FA [Football Association] and Premier League seem to have no interest."

Introduced into American Football in 2002, the Rooney Rule mandates that teams interview at least one BME candidate when a head coach or general manager position becomes available.

In Britain, only six black managers are currently employed at the 72 Football League clubs.

Brown played for Gillingham, Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen and is now part of Arsenal Ladies' coaching team.

Although he welcomes the move, Brown believes more must be done to ensure there are more black managers involved in professional football.

"It's a small step in the right direction. A lot more still needs to be done," Brown added.

"But we're having an impact and things will hopefully start to change for the better and there will be more coaches like myself that will be involved with football.

"Could a lot more be done? Yes, but the mere fact they are willing to give it a try is commendable."