Hammers back Kick It Out

West Ham United's first-team took time out before training at Chadwell Heath this week to put their support behind the One Game, One Community week of action staged by Kick It Out.

The players will also be showing the same backing for the anti-racism project, by wearing Kick It Out T-shirts in the pre-match warm-up before Saturday's match against Newcastle United.

Manager Avram Grant and club staff will also be displaying badges in support as West Ham play their part in helping to get the message across that racism of any form is not welcome at the Boleyn Ground.

The official mascot called Kio will also be at the game - joining Bubbles and Herbie in further promoting the long-standing campaign.

Dyer - West Ham's Kick It Out ambassador for this season - visited a community project in Essex and met with youngsters to put the message out there that racism of any form is not welcome in football.

He said: "I am very proud to be West Ham's ambassador for this season. These events are brilliant and it gives me a chance to meet the kids, help educate them and together we can reinforce the fact that racism of all kinds is something we need to collectively tackle both on and off the pitch and make it disappear."

Also at the event, was KIO chairman Lord Herman Ouseley, former Watford and England player Luther Blissett, 1980 FA Cup-winning Hammers midfielder Paul Allen and X-Factor star, the Essex-born Olly Murs.

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After the youngsters took part in a number of activities, which included football, music, acting and engineering, they took part in a question and answer discussion with the guests.

Blissett, now a coach at Stevenage, said: "If there is something you really want, then you should have the right like everybody else to go for that thing you want, no matter who you are.

"We live in a society now where there are equal opportunities and education is the key. Get your qualifications and get as much experience as you can.

Allen, who played for the Hammers in the early 1980's and is now working at the Professional Footballers Association, added: "It is all about educating and interacting.

"When I was a young player, anyone who came to the club regarding sport, telling us about their past histories, what they had achieved and what they had overcome to achieve that, was always exciting."

Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion campaign. It works throughout football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change. It also works internationally.

Look out for further coverage in Saturday's matchday programme.