League to stage "Kick It Out" weekend

Football’s equality and inclusion campaign will be promoted via three matches billed ‘Isthmians Against Discrimination’, kicking off on Friday 8 March when Aveley will host Waltham Abbey in Ryman North.

Aveley manager Justin Gardner commented: “Our club is delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate its support for Kick It Out and we hope this will highlight the campaign.”

The following day, on Saturday 9 March, Maidstone United will host Tooting and Mitcham United in a Ryman 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 weekend concludes with a Ryman Premier match on Sunday 10 March when Wingate & Finchley take on Thurrock at the Harry Abrahams Stadium in Finchley. Mike Bayly, campaign manager at Non League Day and Wingate’s community development manager, said: “This is a great opportunity for both clubs to demonstrate their support for this initiative.”

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.

Nick Robinson, vice chairman of the Ryman League, winners of the National Gold Award for the Respect Campaign last season, said: “I saw Danny Lynch speak at a referees’ society meeting earlier in the season and wondered why the campaign only operates at Premier League and Football League level.

“I contacted Danny and he was so positive, and along with his colleague Richard Bates, we have put together this weekend for what we hope will be the first of many projects for Kick It Out in the Non-League System.”