Ince, who became the first black male footballer to captain England back in 1993, received his award from former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Viv Anderson at a ceremony held at the newly opened Hall of Fame exhibition at the museum in Manchester.
The midfielder played a key role in returning Wolves to the top-flight of English football, as he led the side to the 2003 First Division Play-off final and put in a trademark tenacious performance in the centre of the park to help Wolves win 3-0 over Sheffield United.
Ince is one of just three footballers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since the Covid-19 pandemic and receives the honour on the eve of England’s World Cup qualifier match versus Hungary on Thursday night.
Judges voted unanimously to induct Ince, who also played for Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan during an esteemed career, in recognition of his outstanding football career both as a player and manager, his position as a trailblazer in the BAME sporting community and his work to combat racial prejudice in sport.
Ince was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame this week, as he was handed the trophy in front of friends, representatives of his former clubs and family, with Wolves represented by long-time club secretary Richard Skirrow and respected journalist David Instone.
Tim Desmond, chief executive at the National Football Museum, said: “Paul Ince has fully earnt his place in the Hall of Fame. He is a born leader on and off the pitch. His leadership qualities were evident from his first appearances as a teenager for West Ham United 35 years ago.
“The first black captain of the full England national team, he represented his country at the highest level and it is important to the National Football Museum that his pioneering story is told. The image of Paul Ince covered in blood and bandaged after a bruising World Cup qualifier against Italy in Rome remains one of the most iconic football photographs.
“A driving midfield force in the rebirth of Manchester United in the early 1990s, Paul Ince won countless trophies at Old Trafford. It was no surprise that he went into management and became the first British-born black man to manage a Premier League club.
“Paul exemplifies the qualities needed to get into the Hall of Fame. As a player he was passionate, courageous, resilient and remains an influential figure in football.”
From the age of 14 when he first signed with his home club of West Ham United as an academy player, Ince enjoyed a 21-year playing career in elite football making 53 appearances for England and a stint as captain during a tour of the United States in 1993.
After beginning his career with the Hammers, the club he grew up supporting, Ince soon cemented himself as a mainstay of one of the most successful Manchester United sides in the club’s history, and completing the domestic title set by winning two Premier League titles – including the inaugural season, two FA Cups and both the European Cup Winners Cup and the Football League Cup.
He went on to play for Inter Milan in the Serie A, making a UEFA Cup final, before returning home to play for Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Wolves.
After four years at Molineux, Ince featured as player-manager for Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town before making the successful transition to manager where he coached Milton Keynes Dons, Blackburn Rovers, Notts County and Blackpool. Since retiring from football, Ince has made regular media appearances as a football pundit for BT Sport.
His induction into the Hall of Fame coincides with the launch of the Hall of Fame exhibition which showcases the stories of Hall of Famers and objects of significance throughout their careers. Several objects have never been on display before. The exhibition features female and male inductees equally as part of the museum’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
The Hall of Fame, supported by the Professional Footballers’ Association, celebrates the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game, either on or off the pitch.
For more information go to https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/
