News in 2008

06 May - Robbie Nielson of Hearts to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Robbie Neilson has scored another first for Hearts by becoming the first Tynecastle player to be inducted in to the Show Racism the Red Card Hall of Fame.

The defender has been a staunch supporter of the campaign over the years and joins legendary figures such Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs and Sir Bobby Robson in the Hall of Fame.

Robbie is due to accept his award at a glittering ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at No. 10 Downing Street on Monday evening.

"I was thrilled to learn I had been nominated for the Hall of Fame," said Robbie. "It is a great honour. The campaign does a power of work and it has been a pleasure to support it over the years in a bid to kick racism out of the game in this country."

The Hall of Fame was set up in 2004 to acknowledge the positive work that footballers have been doing to try to eradicate racism from our game and to educate young people about the negative effects that racism has on our society.

A spokesperson for Show Racism The Red Card said: "Hearts have been involved with Show Racism The Red Card since the campaign set up an office in Scotland in 2003. Each season the club hosts anti-racist educational workshops for local school pupils with the young people getting the chance to ask players about their experiences of racism and how to tackle it.

"Robbie has been a big supporter of the campaign and Hearts fans have also actively supported the campaign. A lot of very positive work has been done to tackle racism in Scotland but there remains a lot to do.

"Robbie, Hearts and Show Racism the Red Card will continue to work together to send out a clear message that racism is unacceptable in football and in Scottish society.

"Show Racism the Red Card would like to congratulate both Robbie and Hearts for this award."

The visit to No. 10 will complete a hectic few days for Robbie, whose testimonial match is played the previous day at Tynecastle Stadium, with the Players' Player of the Year Awards following in the Gorgie Suite that evening.

Source: Hearts FC