Gairdoch United’s 2010 squad footballers show racism the red card

Players in the under-10s team from Carronshore, coached by Ryan Buckie, contributed to a video showcasing their ball skills before taking a knee – a kneeling stance first practised by NFL player Colin Kaepernick and now adopted the world by protestors and supporters of the equality and justice movement.

Gayle Hunter, the 2010s age group secretary, said: “Professional football players have been talking about how they had been racially abused within the game. More concerning is how their first experiences of racial abuse occurred at school and grassroots level.

“This is where we as a grassroots club have a responsibility to fight against racism within our beautiful game. It’s time to stand together in pressing home a message of zero tolerance for any form of racism and discrimination.”

Players contributed to the video, as John Lennon’s peace anthem ‘Imagine’ played.

Among Gairdoch’s former players are Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and former Sunderland assistant manager James Fowler.