United Duo Show Racism The Red Card

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Magpies duo Rob Elliot and Jamaal Lascelles joined a star-studded panel as Show Racism the Red Card marked its 20th anniversary with an educational event at St. James' Park on Tuesday.

About 100 schoolchildren attended the question and answer session, with former Newcastle players Olivier Bernard, Steve Howey and John Anderson also taking part along with Newcastle United Women's Football Club players Beth Gardner, Ellen Turnbull, Jade Anderson and Abbie Stevens and ex-Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming.

Many of them spoke about their own experiences of racism, with ex-Ireland international Anderson explaining how his black team-mates were abused for the colour of their skin in the 1980s.

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) was founded in 1996 with the help of former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who attended the first SRtRC roadshow alongside Les Ferdinand.

Chief executive Ged Grebby told nufc.co.uk: "We've come a long way in 20 years, but there's still a long way to go. We know racism is out there in our streets, our workplaces and schools and it's something we, as Show Racism the Red Card, have to make sure people are educated against."

Defender Lascelles, who joined Elliot in signing autographs after the session, added: "It was a really good event. The young people were very aware of racism in sport and this event is here to help prevent it.

"Hopefully the kids have taken a lot from it. It's really good to get the word across to the younger generation, and to let them know what to do if it ever happens."

Goalkeeper Elliot added: "It's great for Show Racism the Red Card to educate local kids and make people aware about the whole issue around racism.

"It's massively important because no-one wants to see racism in sport or in society, so it's good that steps like this are being taken to make sure it's eradicated."

To find out more about Show Racism the Red Card, go to www.theredcard.org.