News in 2006

05th October 2006

Racism Crackdown

Everton take the lead in stamping down on the thugs

Everton used to be associated with horrendous racism emanating from their terraces but a concerted effort to eliminate their rogue element has seen the Merseyside team emerge as one of the Premiership front runners in the on-going battle against xenophobia in sport.

The blue half of Liverpool were one of the first top flight clubs to appoint a Race and Quality Manager.

Alan Johnson is that man and he is responsible for getting the club involved in the wider community, opening up the doors to a potential fan base that otherwise wouldn't have naturally gravitated to Goodison Park.

It would be fair to say that Everton do more than most to eradicate the problem of racism in football. Some may say they needed to as the clubs supporters were some of the worst offenders when it came to the issue of racism. Sadly, John Barnes' famous back-heel of a banana took place at Everton's ground and they have been tainted ever since.

But the acquisition of players such as Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott and Daniel Amokachi has helped the club's image over the years.

The club readily admit that there are still some games, notably away from home, where the issue raises its ugly head, but they are determined to root out the perpetrators and ban them for life if that's what it takes to get the message across to fans that the club is for all to support, no matter where you come from.

Talking to the Voice of Sport Johnson said that when he started in the position 12 years ago the problem was commonplace at football grounds up and down the country and that, although the journey has been a slow one, there have been marked improvements all over the Premiership.

He said: "Initially it was a two pronged approach. We were trying to establish a presence within the black community and it was also a case of raising the profile of the club particularly through campaigns such as Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card.

"Also, the club itself looked at what they had to do to change things like staff profile. Twelve years ago equal opportunities at this club wasn't the best, but we've implemented a policy and made changes.

"The reputation back in the early days wasn't good, but to be fair, you could have targeted that at any football club with regards to what it was doing in the game for the black community, but it's just that the reputation seems to stick with Everton. So since then a lot of hard work has gone into changing the reputation and perception of the club.

"We are at a point now were we feel we are one of the leading clubs in supporting the football against racism campaign."

Where some clubs will be acknowledging just the one day during the Kick it Out week of action this month, Everton will mark every day with activities and events in and around the Goodison Park area.

The club are serious in their efforts to attract and maintain a cosmopolitan feel to the club, one that reflects the ethnic fabric of the locality.

Johnson added: "As a business it's important that we have the right image and perceptions of the club. The game has now changed and it's more of a business environment and any business that has a bad reputation or isn't seen to be acting in the right way is going to struggle.

"We want to break into the international market so it's important we have the right image and the right systems in place."

Source: The Voice