THE Ryman Football League will be embracing the anti-discrimination message this weekend as it embarks on a weekend-long drive to support Kick It Out.
‘Isthmians Against Discrimination’ kicks off on Friday 8 March when Aveley will host Waltham Abbey in Ryman Division One North.
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.”
The following day, on Saturday 9 March, Maidstone United will host Tooting & Mitcham United in a Ryman Division One South match at the Gallagher Stadium.
Tooting skipper Jamie Lawrence, a long-serving Kick It Out ambassador, has already given the initiative the thumbs up.
“This weekend of activity is a great way of showing fans at this level that we take issues racism in football seriously,” commented the former Leicester City and Bradford City midfielder.
“I’ve played at the highest level of the game but know Non-League fans are as passionate as anyone. I’m really looking forward to backing the campaign.”
The dedicated weekend concludes on Sunday 10 March when Wingate & Finchley take on Thurrock at the Harry Abraham Stadium in Finchley.
“Wingate and Finchley are very proud of their anglo-Jewish roots and the club are delighted to be taking part in this weekend of activity,” said Mike Bayly, campaign manager at Non League Day and Wingate’s community development manager.
“The club have been at the forefront of promoting the game to hard-to-reach and marginalised groups. For our dedicated fixture against Thurrock we’ll be inviting local schools from across the religious spectrum and distributing Kick It Out materials throughout the afternoon.”
The move comes on the back of the League’s requirement for each member club to publish a statement in their matchday programmes to display a joint stance against discrimination of any kind.
During the current season the League has worked with its sister leagues throughout The Football Association to include a provision in the Standardised Rules to require all leagues and clubs to take active steps towards eradicating discrimination.
The ‘Isthmians Against Discrimination’ weekend also commemorates the League’s 108th birthday.
