Millers kick off 'Kick It Out' weekend

By Peter Butcher

THE Ryman League embraces the anti-discrimination message this week as it embarks on a weekend-long drive to support ‘Kick It Out’.

Football’s equality and inclusion campaign will be promoted via three matches billed ‘Isthmians Against Discrimination’, starting with Aveley's home game against Waltham Abbey in Ryman North on Friday (7.45).

This is the very first match to be played outside of the professional game (Premiership & Football League), and there is much media interest how this important initiative is portrayed at non-League level.

Aveley secretary Craig Johnson commented: “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”.

“We have a strong youth set-up at Aveley, comprising 17 teams, which includes men, women, boys and girls, with a good blend of cultures within these areas. I am pleased that this part of the club has committed itself to support this event”.

“I am also delighted that our Macron Dealers, ORC Printwear Promotions Limited, have agreed to provide both teams on the night with new shirts, which will show off the Kick It Out logos.

"We at Aveley have received sanction from the league to wear a Yellow Shirt (pictured) for the evening, which is one of the campaign's endorsed colours. I would like to thank Rod Hammond at ORC, for his assistance with this gesture.”

Aveley are expecting a larger turnout than normal for this game, and urge supporters to arrive in good time. The clubhouse and kitchen will be open from 5-30pm.

Johnson added: "We are pleased that the Aveley Village Community Forum are supporting this game as the club continues to unite with its local people."

The other 'Kick It Out' games are Maidstone v Tooting in Ryman South on Saturday and Wingate & Finchley v Thurrock in Ryman Premier on Sunday, both kicking off at 3pm.

Where next?

Eastbourne adopt children's charity RYMAN South club Eastbourne Town have announced that they have chosen to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children as an officially 'adopted' charity.
Long trip brings no reward IT was a thankless 330-mile Monday night round trip for Hastings, who went down 1-0 in their Ryman Premier fixture at Lowestoft.

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