Altrincham FC will wear a special one-off ‘Fans for Diversity’ kit today for their Evo-Stik Premier Division fixture against Rushall Olympic at The J Davidson Stadium.
The Robins have been selected as one of only four clubs, nationally, to be promoted and funded by Fans for Diversity, an organisation supported by Kick it Out and The Football Supporters Federation, to have special status as a non-league football club on Non-League Day to showcase the inclusion and diversity of their favourite football club.
Alty are taking advantage of the day to showcase all the work they have been doing to improve the matchday experience at The J Davidson Stadium and to specifically cater for audiences outside of the club’s “core demographic”.
Meetings have taken place over many weeks with the Football Supporters Federation, Kick It Out and Level Playing Field (the charity for disabled football supporters) to use this event to launch the club on its journey to become the most inclusive and diverse in non-league football club in England.
This work has been very much boosted by the appointment of a small Inclusion & Diversity team (Jacqui Forster and Jordan Tyms) and the two ‘Supporters Liaison Officers’ (Alison Corser and Mike Reeves), setting the foundations for this exciting ambition, which it hopes can be achieved very quickly.
The focus is on delivering a great off-field experience for supporters for today’s game against Rushall Olympic, and the off-field activities include:
- Attendance at the game by a number of legendary former players, including Stuart Coburn, Val Owen, Gary Scott, Rod Thornley and Colin Potts
- A complimentary drink for supporters that attended the 5-1 victory over Nantwich Town on Tuesday night
- Live music in the Community Sports Hall (mini Trafford Pride concert)
- Children’s Face Painting
- Non-League Day merchandising from ‘Fans for Diversity’
- Special Non-League Day menu, provided by Richie Bentley Catering
- Subbuteo demonstrations
- Primary School Art competition
- Players of both teams to be assigned a mascot from the Mini Kickers/Junior teams as they enter the pitch ahead of the match
Altrincham are supported in this initiative by:
- Women at the Game, for whom this match is a designated event
- Prostate Cancer UK, the Evo-Stik League chosen charity who will be collecting funds for their work at the game
- National Football versus Homophobia and Trafford Pride
- This will include Football versus Homophobia’ training for Altrincham’s stewards
- Football Supporters Federation and Kick it Out, who are both funding the production of a four-page document showcasing Altrincham’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, its current position and future plans
- All players to wear Fans for Diversity/Non-League Day T-Shirts during the warm-up
- Mass media coverage
The Board of Altrincham Football Club will be formally signing up to a “Promise”, taking the form of a large printed graphic stating the club’s commitment to become the leading non-league football club for Inclusion & Diversity.
As this is an International Football Weekend, admission prices for this game are just £5 for season ticket-holders of Premier League, Championship and Football League clubs.
The 18 special shirts (16 outfield player & 2 goalkeeper shirts) have been provided by SKkits and are to be auctioned following the game, with all funds raised going to Prostate Cancer UK. To bid for a shirt, please contact Ian Senior on 07960 137232.
Top picture: Michael Ripley Photography
Highlights from Altys 5-1 win over Nantwich on Tuesday night:
