'Season of Action' fixtures in full swing

Tuesday 26 Nov 2013
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The Premier League, Championship and League One clubs recognised Kick It Out’s 20 year anniversary over the weekend with five fixtures dedicated to its ‘Season of Action’.

The headline match saw Tyneside giants Newcastle United, who hosted a Kick It Out themed football competition before the fixture, secure a 2-1 victory over Chris Hughton’s Norwich City.

Wigan Athletic players and staff proudly donned Kick It Out merchandise as they commemorated its 20 year anniversary in their 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the DW Stadium.

Swindon Town, in conjunction with Wiltshire Council, hosted the grand final of a football tournament dedicated to Kick It Out during the half-time interval of their 3-1 loss to Leyton Orient at the County Ground.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were held to a 0-0 draw by Brentford, in a fixture that was dedicated to the campaign at the Molineux Stadium. This fixture also represented the club’s nominated ‘Schools Focus’ fixture, with 50 selected school children helping to promote Kick It Out’s message.

Peterborough Untied’s automatic promotion hopes were dented as Stevenage defeated them 1-0 at London Road in their dedicated ‘Season of Action’ game.

A local football team in the area provided the guard of honour for the players as well as displaying the campaign’s anniversary flag to the crowd.

The players of both sets of teams proudly wore the special Kick It Out anniversary t-shirts before kindly provided them to young supporters.

Kick It Out’s Grassroots Development Officer Dean Watson was in attendance for this game – with staff members also present at Newcastle and Wigan – and felt it acted as a great tribute to the campaign.

“It is great to see clubs like Peterborough spreading the anti-discrimination message at their ‘Season of Action’ games,” he said.

“After 20 years of hard work by Kick It Out, it is important that this message is at the top of the agenda in football.

“These dedicated fixtures help demonstrate that to the football community and the general public.”

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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

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