Aveley and Waltham Abbey displaying their support for Kick It Out
Ryman League Division One North sides Aveley and Waltham Abbey will be giving their backing to Kick It Out when they go head-to-head at Mill Field tonight (24 April).
The fixture, which was initially part of the Ryman League’s ‘Isthmians Against Discrimination’ initiative in March, has been postponed twice due to adverse weather conditions.
Tonight will hopefully be a case of third time lucky – with Aveley looking to put on a show having secured their place in the end of season play-offs after Heybridge Swifts were defeated by champions Grays Athletic last night.
Both clubs will be playing in specially commissioned custom-made Kick It Out branded shirts produced by ORC Printwear Promotions Limited, whilst a host of activity will take place before the match including the distribution of campaign materials such as magazines, badges and wristbands.
Craig Johnson, club secretary of Aveley, said: “We are honoured to be staging such a high-profile fixture on behalf of the Isthmian League. We will be showcasing our club to a wide audience and demonstrating our commitment to this important campaign. We pride ourselves and value our status as a Chartered Standard Community Club.”
Looking ahead to the match, Aveley manager Justin Gardner commented: “I think it’s a great advert for Kick It Out. They are investing so much time in non-league football and I am proud to be involved in this initiative. Everybody in non league must continue to play their role in stamping out discrimination in the game.”
Lord Herman Ouseley, Chair of Kick It Out, himself a former Ryman League player with Dulwich Hamlet, added: “Getting our message of tolerance and respect in all aspects and levels of the game is so important. We thank the Ryman League and the clubs involved for allowing us this access and opportunity to reach players, officials and supporters at this level, and to illustrate the work Kick It Out does, and how they can help us make the game a place free of discrimination.”