Dartford goalkeeper Jason Brown may have been branded a troublemaker for his outspoken views on racism in football but it’s only made him more determined to join the disturbingly small group of black managers in the professional game.

The 32-year-old former Gillingham and Blackburn No.1 responded angrily when the League Managers Association labelled former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay’s offensive text messages as 'friendly banter' – but he wasn’t surprised.

Brown has questioned the work of anti-racism group Kick It Out in the past and the Mackay scandal only added further weight to his argument that football is still blighted by prejudice.

He said: "It seems to be happening a lot with the people that govern our game, whether it be the FA, UEFA, FIFA or the League Managers Association. There’s a massive lack of diversity in all of these areas, on all the boards.

"The mere fact they tried to cover it up (the Mackay texts) says that maybe these organisations are institutionally racist. If you’re trying to cover something up, that means that you clearly know that it’s wrong but (you think) it doesn’t matter.

"Well, racism does matter.

"We’re blessed with different cultures, different religions, different creeds and for these organisations to cover this up, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that these organisations – not just in football, but in society – are institutionally racist.”

Brown wants to go into management when his playing career is over but he knows some chairmen won’t like what he has to say.

He said: "It makes it hard for me because when you’ve got someone like myself, who’s not scared to come out and say that these people are what they are, I’m branded a troublemaker when I’m simply the victim.

"I want to speak up about it and it’s almost like they’re expecting us to shut up.

"Does it make it difficult for me? Possibly, but I’m doing my badges and my A Licence with the Welsh FA. I believe that knowledge is power and if I can arm myself with all the necessary qualifications and credentials, then I don’t think there’s any reason why I can’t get a (management) job."

Having played at the top level earlier in his career – which included five years with Blackburn – Brown dropped into non-league last year at Cambridge United. He went on to play for Sutton in Conference South before joining Dartford in the summer.

Brown said: "Last season, could (my views) have been the reason I didn’t get a club? Possibly.

“I’ve done a lot with Sky, I’ve done a lot with the BBC and I was out there. You can be branded as a troublemaker when you’re simply saying 'hold on, that’s wrong, you can’t say that.'

"But my motive is that I need to be a role model for my children.

"There’s ways of going about things and if my children see that daddy’s not willing to stand up and accept it, then if they ever get faced with these issues, they will feel the same."