By Tranzic
October 12 2005

Burnley Football Club release news of their 'Kick it Out' Week of Action including special events at this Saturday's game against Leeds. The media release goes on to say....

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'Kick it Out' Week of Action

Burnley Football Club are hoping to help eradicate all racism from football and this week sees the 'Kick It Out National Anti Racism Week Of Action In Football' take place at Turf Moor. Saturday's game with Leeds United in the Championship will be aimed towards backing the message put out by the 'Kick It Out' campaign.

The Burnley squad are fully behind the scheme and fans will be able to collect badges, stickers and wrist bands from the Clarets Superstore, Ticket Office and Leisure Centre before the game, whilst the players will be warming up in special 'Kick It Out' shirts before the match.

The Centre Of Excellence Under Nine team will then parade the special 'Kick It Out' flag around the pitch before the kick-off. The centre pages of the Clarets Magazine for the match will also feature a special message and poster from a lucky winner who entered the special anti-racism competition held by the club, in association with the Clarets Trust, to win tickets to the match.

There is also an anti-racism five-a-side tournament taking place on Sunday at the Turf Moor Leisure Centre, which has been organised by the Clarets Trust and the 'When The Ball Moves' fanzine with members of the Burnley squad to present awards afterwards.

Clarets stars Ade Akinbiyi and James O'Connor will also be visiting local school Brunshaw Primary on Thursday afternoon to open a new sports hall and answer some questions from the pupils.

Speaking about the campaign, manager Steve Cotterill said: "It is great to see the whole of football again coming together behind Kick It Out's week of action.

"This is an important issue to the health of the game and the country as a whole.

"Sadly we do not see many ethnic minorities coming to matches despite the number of black players in the game and there is still an obvious lack of Asian players coming through.

"It is up to us all to set a positive example and do everything we can to challenge inequality and ensure a level playing field. I am sure that we can count on all of our fans to support the activities the club have organised to raise awareness of the week of action."

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For more details on the five-a-side tournament, please contact the Turf Moor Leisure Centre Reception on 0870 443 1882 (option 4).

The 'Kick it Out' campaign, in its fifth year, brings together schools, communities and fans to join forces with the professional clubs to mark a week of action against racism.

The week celebrates the contribution made to football by black, Asian and other ethnic minorities, whilst standing up against racism. This year the week of action will coincide with Black History Month and Ramadan. To find out more visit the website www.kickitout.org

East Lancs Together (ELT) has been working with Burnley FC over the last two years with activities in the community. To find out more about the work of East Lancs Together visit their website at www.eastlancstogether.org.uk or contact them on 01254 300478.