Current and former players interviews

As part of a new feature series, Paul Mortimer, Kick It Out’s Professional Players Engagement Manager, has travelled across the country to speak to a variety of current and former professionals about the issues most important to them in the modern game.

  • Eddie Newton - Chelsea FC Loan Technical Coach - March 2016

    In March 2016, Paul spoke to Eddie Newton, Loan Technical Coach at Chelsea FC and former player at the club.

    In part one, Eddie discussed his role overseeing the development of over 35 squad players, his future ambitions for a management role and the lack of opportunities for BAME coaches in the game.

    In part two, Eddie reflected on the values the club tries to instil in young players, overcoming doubts in his own abilities and the impact the English Football League’s (EFL) ‘Rooney Rule’ pilot could have on club owners’ recruitment processes.

  • Jack Butland - Stoke City goalkeeper - October 2016

    In October 2016, Paul visited the Potteries, where he met Jack Butland, Stoke City goalkeeper, England international and one of Kick It Out’s valued ‘Next 20’ Ambassadors who help spread the organisation’s messages of equality and inclusion.

    In part one, Paul spoke to Jack about his recovery from injury and why being an ambassador for Kick It Out means so much to him.

    In part two, Paul spoke to Jack about his hopes for the future with Stoke and his role in helping Great Britain’s Deaf Women’s Football team attend the Deaf World Cup last June.

  • Paul Canoville - Former Chelsea winger - January 2016

    It’s been almost 30 years since Paul Canoville, the first black player to play for Chelsea, retired from professional football but he remains a busy man. Paul spends much of his time doing charitable work across the globe with The Paul Canoville Foundation, as well as the Guy Mascolo Football Charity.

    Away from his educational work, Paul helps out in the hospitality department at Stamford Bridge and even finds time to respond to the frequent media requests to tell his captivating life story.

    In January 2016, Paul spoke to Paul Mortimer, Kick It Out’s Professional Player Engagement Manager, about a number of important issues including his charitable foundation, suffering racism as a player at Chelsea, his battle against cancer and drug addiction, as well as the fight to eradicate racism from the modern game.

    Read the four-part interview here.

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"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman