Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has wished Kick It Out a happy 25th anniversary ahead of their celebratory event in London this evening.
The anti-discrimination charity are celebrating their 25th season of campaigning for equality in football, and on behalf of everyone at the club, Hughton has sent his best wishes.
The Albion manager said, “When you think back to 1993 and the conception of Kick It Out, football had a very different landscape.
“Kick It Out has been the driving force behind real change. Changes in attitudes, changes in perceptions and changes for the better across the game.
“I have been a proud supporter of their work across the 25 years and been pleased to play a small part in the phenomenal strides they have helped the game make in that time.
“All of us - players, managers, staff, fans, media - owe Kick It Out and their many, many supporters and campaigners a huge debt of gratitude for what they’ve achieved and the positive impact they continue to have on the sport of football.
“I hope all of those attending tonight have a wonderful evening, and here is to the next 25 years!”
Tonight’s event in East London will include an array of names from the world of football and host of entertainment, including:
- The Wall of Football – our wall of memorabilia has now reached over 100 items, and continues to grow. Please bring with you an item representing a football club or organisation close to your heart to add to the wall, which will showcase the diversity of the national game.
- Live podcast recordings – join in as we interview our guests about their work in football following the launch of The Kick It OutCast.
- Fans For Diversity Guidance Group – the new Fans For Diversity Guidance Group (a campaign partnership between the Football Supporters’ Federation and Kick It Out) will hold its first meeting in an open setting which you are welcome to sit in on.
- Friends of Kick It Out – meet the teams behind like-minded organisations and learn about other work challenging discrimination and creating opportunities in football.
- Feature presentations – a series of speeches and discussions on the main stage from key figures in football and discrimination with a focus on new media.
- Live music performed by a local community group.
Kick It Out will be covering the event live through our own social media channels and strongly encourage you to do the same, using #KickItOut25 on Twitter and Instagram.