IPSWICH TOWN have shown their support for Kick it Out week by speaking to schoolchildren about racism in football and society.The Show Racism the Red Card day took place at Portman Road, where first team players joined Chairman, David Sheepshanks, to talk to youngsters from four schools in the area.

IPSWICH TOWN have shown their support for Kick it Out week by speaking to schoolchildren about racism in football and society.

The Show Racism the Red Card day took place at Portman Road, where first team players joined Chairman, David Sheepshanks, to talk to youngsters from four schools in the area.

Pupils from Halifax Primary, Ranelagh Primary and Stoke and Farlingaye High schools attended the day of workshops and discussions with the Town players.

Students heard from club captain Jason De Vos as he spoke frankly on the issue of racism in the game.

He said: “Footballers are role models and we have a part to play in stamping racism out. No-one should be made to feel uncomfortable because of the colour of their skin. In our dressing room, we have a mixture of nationalities and we all get on well.

This is how it should be.”

The schoolchildren attending the event went on to complete several workshops during the day as part of the club's work within the community to help education and support in reducing racism in Suffolk.

They also heard from long-serving Ipswich player, Fabian Wilnis. He has had experience of racism on the field but said that it hasn't happened in England or Holland, where he played for former clubs NAC Breda and Graafschap.

He said: “No English player has subjected me to racism. It happens mainly against Eastern European teams when you play in their countries and only inspires me to do better for my team.”

Joanna Spicer of Suffolk County Council was eager to lend her support to the event.

She said: “The Racial Harrasment Initiative aims to ensure that sufferers of racial harassment are aware of the support that is available and how they can access it. I am pleased to see that the RHI team are working closely with Ipswich Town Football Club.”

The clubs involvement in the nationwide Kick Racism out of Football campaign will continue at Town's Kick it Out match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.