PLAYERS and representatives of both Burton Albion and Derby County have joined together at a local secondary school to show their support to the anti-racism, 'Kick It Out' campaign.
Burton Albion Community Trust and Derby County Community Trust staff were on hand to deliver educational workshops and football sessions at Pingle High School on Tuesday, ahead of Burton Albion's annual 'Kick It Out' fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
After practical based sessions in the morning, around 250 year 7 pupils from the school joined together to welcome a host of famous names from both clubs.
Burton Albion first team players Jamie Allen and on-loan Martin Samuelsen were on hand to answer questions about their experiences of equality within football, whilst both club's anti-racism ambassadors Aaron Webster and Michael Johnson, spoke of their own experiences of racism during their time in the game.
Following the question and answers session, the excited youngsters from the school got their chance to get autographs and pose for photos with current and ex-players, alongside both club mascots Billy Brewer and Rammie.
John Widdowson, Health and Inclusion Manager at Burton Albion Community Trust, said: "It was a fantastic day and it couldn't have gone any better really. The players, ambassadors, mascots and coaches from both sets of clubs were great representatives for the campaign and engaged with the youngsters brilliantly.
"A big thank you must also go to the school for helping to organise the event and the pupils were a privilege to work with. Some fantastic messages were passed on throughout the day and we just hope now that the youngsters in the audience will take it on board and use them in a positive manner for the rest of their lives."