Bristol Rovers FC: No thanks to trust anti-racism drive

The shocked Trust was told in a response by the Club by finance director, Toni Watola, that the club was 'unable to accept [the advert] in its current guise" because it wasn't from the official Bristol Rovers Supporters' Club (BRSC).

The Trust wanted to place the ad in 'The Pirate', the Club's matchday magazine, to coincide with the Kick it Out Campaign's "One Game, One Community" weeks of action, highlighting the players of all nationalities and races who have turned out for the club, in a Rovers-style quartered design with the caption "The United Colours of Rovers".

Trust Chair Gary Marks made the observation that: "In Rovers' own publicity for ‘One Game, One Community' the club has stated that "Bristol Rovers have a philosophy of inclusiveness, equality of opportunity and promotion of harmony" but, sadly, it appears this does not extend as far as some of the club's own supporters."

Kevin Rye, spokesman for Supporters Direct said, "This gesture was something that I'm sure any football club who took its responsibilites seriously would be happy to accept. The fact that they have been rebuffed because it came from the Supporters' Trust and not the Supporters' Club is beyond petty. The Club should be ashamed of themselves for making such a ridiculous decision, particularly over an issue as serious as racism"

GIFT has made it clear that it's happy to recognise the special relationship that BRFC and the Supporters' Club enjoy, but does not believe that this should be to the exclusion of other groups.

GIFT Chair Gary Marks went on to say:

"GIFT has put a huge amount of time and effort into what we believe is a really eye-catching advert that highlights ‘The United Colours of Rovers' and we felt its inclusion in the programme would be a positive statement for both BRFC and the Kick it Out Campaign.

GIFT is still hoping to highlight the Kick it Out Campaign and is now looking for other ways in which the design may be used as a way of showing fans just why the "One Game, One Community" weeks of action should be supported.

For more go to the GIFT website

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