Events

Milton Keynes Dons

October 2006

A new benchmark for events at football clubs was set at this event, co-organised by Football First - MK Council and Milton Keynes Dons FC. The event saw one of the largest audiences we have ever had at any event assemble to see the DVD and take part in a question and answer session with, six first team players, the manager and the chairman! In total 325 school-children attended from local schools and were treated to a great afternoon with a well re-enforced anti-racism message.

On arrival the young people were presented with a goody bag and sticker each, the bag containing our magazine, the MK Dons/SRTRC poster (produced by the club), the SRTRC England poster, an MK Dons FITC brochure and some specifically produced, by the club, Show Racism the Red Card resources - a 'gonk', pencil and bookmark. The school children were then whicked off on a tour of the National Hockey Stadium, before returning for refreshments prior to the event.

Kim Burns chaired the event on behalf of SRTRC and did a great job, Kieron Brady was also on the panel to take part in the Q&A. The audience was very excited to see the players and manager there and got a tremendous reception. After a viewing of the DVD, on two screens simultaneously, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel. Martin Allen, manager of MK Dons, selected who asked the questions. Everyone who did ask a question received a SRTRC wristband and a pair of tickets for an MK Dons game of their choice. The three questions that were judged to have been the most interesting by Martin Allen were also given a bonus prize of signed shirt, signed ball or signed hats. There were some great questions and I think that the message was presented well to the audience and should have left a lasting impression. The message would have been conveyed again by activities at that weekend's fixture, which was MK Dons designated anti-racism fixture.

An appearance from one of the MK dons mascots 'Mooie' came in advance of the autograph session where the audience had the opportunity to get items signed by all those present. Media interest was high on the day too, with players and the chairman interviewed by MK Tv as well as radio stations. Kim handled the press enquiries on the day on behalf of SRTRC and Football First and MK Dons staff had been interviewed for radio ahead of the event.

Our thanks go to Dennis Woolford at Football First, for all his help in organising the day and promoting the campaign locally, Sue Dawson, MK Dons Chief Executive, for the same reasons, Pete Winkelman, Martin Allen and the players for attending, MK Dons for hosting the event, the football in the community staff and Matt from the club shop for helping us stuff the goody bags and to Kim Burns and the other volunteers from MK who helped run the event.