Football Unites, Racism Divides
Encyclopedia
Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) is a youth and social inclusion project and charity based in Sheffield, England which uses football as a tool to 'break down barriers created by ignorance or prejudice'. It works locally, nationally and internationally to combat racism and increase understanding between different communities.
) network of anti-racist organisations.
to Sheffield United when he was just seven years old. Walker graduated to the United first team before being sold to Tottenham Hotspur. He has since joined Aston Villa on loan and represented England Under-19s. FURD also offers coaching sessions in local schools, often as part of a joint package with an educational element. FURD also recognises women as a marginalised group in football and has sought to create women’s initiatives, especially to appeal to those from ethnic minorities. Students at The University of Sheffield conducted a survey called ‘Crossing the Line’ which demonstrated the young girls are more likely to be put off from joining in football due to anxieties over sexism
rather than racism
or cultural factors. Therefore FURD has run female-only coaching sessions and girls’ tournaments have been a regular feature at the annual Community Day at Bramall Lane
.
’s 2006 Unity Cup, a national tournament for refugees and asylum seekers.
The club is a partner in FURD's Soundkickers music project.
, a national award for good citizenship, to recognise their work in coaching younger Somali children.
since the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States. FURD also offers training and consultation for professionals.
in Sharrow
, Sheffield. The material stored covers a range of subjects pertaining to all aspects of FURD’s work. The content of the collection is catalogued and searchable online and can be borrowed upon request. Enquiries about football and equality can also be answered by phone, letter or email, and information is made available online where possible on FURD’s website. A number of exhibitions are available for hire. FURD has undertaken in-depth research about the experiences of South African footballers playing in Britain from 1899 to 2009 for an exhibition, ‘Offside! Kick Out Ignorance - Football Unites, Racism Divides’ on display the Homecoming Centre of the District Six Museum in Cape Town from June 2010 to June 2011. Supporting materials are available from FURD.
scheme, FURD now works with the charity v to inspire hundreds of young people aged 16–25 to volunteer in their own community. Voluntary opportunities that FURD offers include working with young offenders, mentor schemes for refugees, football coaching, art and dance workshops, organising events, advocacy/campaigning and promotion/publicity. The aims include improving the self-esteem, confidence and skills of the participants, as well as improvements in community cohesion. FURD’s ‘Youth Against Conflict’ group made a film and education pack, ‘It’s Your Call’, in which young people enacted conflict scenarios they had experienced, including gang violence and racist bullying, and viewers are encouraged to think about and discuss different ways of resolving the issues.
Origins
The project was created in November 1995 by a group of Sheffield United fans who were concerned with the number of racially invoked incidents occurring in and around Bramall Lane, especially because of the stadium being located in a particularly ethnically diverse area of the city. FURD has since evolved into a wider community project. Whilst the organisation uses footballing activities, it is increasingly involved in more general inclusion work such as delivering anti-racist education in schools and providing volunteering opportunities for young people. It is also a founding member of the FARE (Football Against Racism in EuropeFootball Against Racism in Europe
Football Against Racism in Europe is a network set up to counter "racism and xenophobia" in European Football. The network was set up in Vienna, Austria, in February 1999 after a meeting of football supporters' groups, football players' unions and football associations...
) network of anti-racist organisations.
Footballing work
Much of FURD’s work focuses on using football as a tool for social change. This includes using footballing initiatives in the local community, international events and affiliations with professional clubs.Coaching
FURD hosts subsidised coaching at Sheffield United’s Academy, and players who show potential are referred to local professional teams. It was FURD's coaches who recommended Kyle WalkerKyle Walker
Kyle Andrew Walker is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur and England.-Early life:Walker was born in Sheffield and grew up in the Sharrow district of the city...
to Sheffield United when he was just seven years old. Walker graduated to the United first team before being sold to Tottenham Hotspur. He has since joined Aston Villa on loan and represented England Under-19s. FURD also offers coaching sessions in local schools, often as part of a joint package with an educational element. FURD also recognises women as a marginalised group in football and has sought to create women’s initiatives, especially to appeal to those from ethnic minorities. Students at The University of Sheffield conducted a survey called ‘Crossing the Line’ which demonstrated the young girls are more likely to be put off from joining in football due to anxieties over sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
rather than racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
or cultural factors. Therefore FURD has run female-only coaching sessions and girls’ tournaments have been a regular feature at the annual Community Day at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
.
Tournaments
Small-sided tournaments are regularly held by FURD in a variety of venues, often coinciding with school holidays. One of the most prestigious tournaments is held at Sheffield United’s Community Day during the off-season. FURD also runs the annual All Nations Tournament in conjunction with Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association for teams of refugees and asylum seekers. FURD also hosted Kick It OutKick It Out (organisation)
Kick It Out was established as a campaign with the brand name 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football' in 1993 and as an organisation in 1997.The organisation works within the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive...
’s 2006 Unity Cup, a national tournament for refugees and asylum seekers.
Streetkick
Streetkick is a portable, inflatable miniature football pitch which can fit into the back of a van. It enjoys a cult status and is one of FURD’s more recognisable and high-profile areas of work. Being highly practical and mobile, it has been toured at the European Championships in 2004 and 2008 as well as the World Cup in 2006. The pitch sides can be adorned with anti-racist banners and it provides a focal point for spreading FURD's message.Links with professional clubs
FURD works with Sheffield’s two professional clubs in a number of fields to deliver anti-racist work.Sheffield United
FURD works closely with Sheffield United, largely due to its origins stemming from Blades supporters as well as the proximity of the charity to Bramall Lane. FURD has regular articles in the matchday programme, anti-racist messages displayed on the scoreboard and subsidised use of the Academy facilities. Bramall Lane’s annual Community Day was instigated and largely run by FURD from 1999 to 2008, with the club taking ownership of it in 2009. FURD is a partner in Sheffield United’s Kickz project, which shares FURD’s philosophy about the power of football to bring positive benefits to young people and communities.Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday have also been involved with FURD’s work, although to a lesser extent. FURD was a member of the Owls Against Racism group, and has run joint educational events through Show Racism the Red CardShow Racism The Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism education charity, established in England in January 1996 to harness the high profile nature of footballers as anti-racist role models to educate against racism throughout society in the United Kingdom....
The club is a partner in FURD's Soundkickers music project.
Affliated Clubs
FURD supports a number of clubs in Sheffield's Sunday leagues, by providing administrative help, coaches, or advice about funding.Sharrow United
Sharrow United was the brainchild of Asian teenagers Kamran Khan, Asim Shazad and Idris Ahmed in 2000. FURD agreed to help the boys undertake the formalities required to establish their team and Sharrow United was entered into the Sheffield Regional Alliance Division Two for the 2000/1 season. They encountered plenty of hostility including racism in their first season, but they persevered to finish as runners-up in the league and gain promotion. The team won promotion in their first two seasons and won the Regional Alliance League Cup in 2004. They then entered Sheffield's top Sunday League, the Meadowhall League for the 2004/5 season. They have enjoyed considerable success since entering the league, the highlights being lifting the Meadowhall Sunday League Cup in 2008 and winning promotion to the Premier Division in 2010.Somali Blades
The Somali Blades were established when Sheffield United donated kits and they rose to prominence in 1998 when they reached the final of the Mondiali Antirazzisti in Italy. Also in 1998, they won one of the Philip Lawrence AwardsPhilip Lawrence Awards
The Philip Lawrence Awards were created in the UK in 1997 to reward outstanding achievements in good citizenship by young people aged 11 to 20...
, a national award for good citizenship, to recognise their work in coaching younger Somali children.
Others
Other teams that FURD has worked with include the African Dream Team, Surud United, Porter United, Yemeni United, Sharrow Athletic and FURD Positive Futures Under-18s.Non-footballing work
FURD is also involved in many others aspects of community life in Sheffield as well as further afield which aren’t directly related to football or sport.Education programmes
FURD runs bespoke educational sessions in schools, prisons, hostels and youth centres looking at issues around race, culture, identity and conflict. Educational work has been deemed especially necessary due to the reported rise of misconceptions of race and ethnicity and a growth in IslamophobiaIslamophobia
Islamophobia describes prejudice against, hatred or irrational fear of Islam or MuslimsThe term dates back to the late 1980s or early 1990s, but came into common usage after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States....
since the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States. FURD also offers training and consultation for professionals.
Resources and Information
FURD also has an extensive Resources & Information Library at its office in The Stables block next to Mount Pleasant Community CentreMount Pleasant, Sheffield
Mount Pleasant is an 18th century mansion situated on Sharrow Lane in the Highfield area of the City of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. The house stands just under two km south of the city centre and is a grade II* listed building, it has been described as “one of the best 18th century...
in Sharrow
Sharrow
For the village in North Yorkshire, see Sharow. For the shared lane roadway marking, see Shared lane marking.Sharrow is a district of Sheffield directly south west of Sheffield city centre....
, Sheffield. The material stored covers a range of subjects pertaining to all aspects of FURD’s work. The content of the collection is catalogued and searchable online and can be borrowed upon request. Enquiries about football and equality can also be answered by phone, letter or email, and information is made available online where possible on FURD’s website. A number of exhibitions are available for hire. FURD has undertaken in-depth research about the experiences of South African footballers playing in Britain from 1899 to 2009 for an exhibition, ‘Offside! Kick Out Ignorance - Football Unites, Racism Divides’ on display the Homecoming Centre of the District Six Museum in Cape Town from June 2010 to June 2011. Supporting materials are available from FURD.
Volunteering
Building on the success of the now-defunct Millennium VolunteersMillennium Volunteers
Millennium Volunteers was a national UK government initiative, set up with public funding, and aimed at people aged between 16 and 24. It offered a wide range of volunteering opportunities, with support and accreditation for young people...
scheme, FURD now works with the charity v to inspire hundreds of young people aged 16–25 to volunteer in their own community. Voluntary opportunities that FURD offers include working with young offenders, mentor schemes for refugees, football coaching, art and dance workshops, organising events, advocacy/campaigning and promotion/publicity. The aims include improving the self-esteem, confidence and skills of the participants, as well as improvements in community cohesion. FURD’s ‘Youth Against Conflict’ group made a film and education pack, ‘It’s Your Call’, in which young people enacted conflict scenarios they had experienced, including gang violence and racist bullying, and viewers are encouraged to think about and discuss different ways of resolving the issues.
Positive Futures
FURD is partnered with Positive Futures, a national sports-based inclusion programme. In partnership they run sports and other activities to try to prevent young people from being socially marginalised and being drawn into crime, drugs and anti-social activity.Soundkickers
Funded by the Youth Music Power Play fund, Soundkickers is an initiative which allows young people to work alongside professional musicians to develop their musical talents. Workshops offer a range of activities including learning DJ skills, writing and recording lyrics, and playing instruments. A ten-track CD is now available showcasing some of talent coming out of the workshops.Football: a shared sense of belonging?
This is a 3-year research project, funded by the Big Lottery, which is investigating the role football may play in fostering mutual understanding and integration between refugees, asylum-seekers and other new migrants. The project offers opportunities for young people, especially those from refugee backgrounds themselves, to develop research skills, as well as to share their own experiences.Events
FURD often runs events in Sheffield using different means to spread their message. FURD also supports its volunteers in pioneering their own ideas for new or one-off events.Vibes & Unity
Vibes & Unity is a music event held on Devonshire Green in Sheffield in May 2009 and May 2010 which featured DJs, singers, dancers and musicians, football, public speakers, food stalls and other entertainment. It has been organised largely by FURD’s young volunteers from the Vinvolved programme. The main focus of the event has been on spreading an anti-racist message and encouraging young people to use their vote in forthcoming elections in order to marginalise the far-right parties.Community Day at Bramall Lane
Following the success of FURD’s two entrants in the Mondiali Antirazzisti in 1998, where Somali Blades and the Abbeydale Asian Youth Project both made the final, the idea was pitched to replay the final at Bramall Lane the next summer. The concept evolved to create the first annual Community Day in May 1999 and the event has run almost every year since. Small-sided tournaments take place on the pitch and other events take place around and outside the stadium. The Community Day regularly involves the Streetkick inflatable pitch, a bouncy castle, live music performances and stalls from local community groups. The Day aims to encourage local people, particularly those from ethnic minorities, to visit the Sheffield United ground and to see the club as a welcoming place. In 2009, Sheffield United took over the running of the event through the United Initiative, the club’s new community arm, although FURD is still involved in the day.Timeline of key events
- 1995 – Football Unites, Racism Divides established by fans, Sheffield United and community groups following attacks on Asian and Somali people in the vicinity of Bramall Lane.
- Sep 1998 - Publication of the book 'The First Black Footballer: Arthur WhartonArthur WhartonArthur Wharton is widely considered to be the first black professional association football player in the world...
1865-1930' by Phil Vasili, funded by FURD. - Feb 1999 – FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network founded by supporters' groups in 13 countries. FURD is a founder member and partner.
- May 1999 – FURD hosts first Community Day at Bramall Lane, which has since become an annual event.
- Aug 2000 – Sharrow United, with sponsorship by FURD, is entered into the Sheffield Regional Alliance Sunday League and becomes the first predominantly Asian team in Sheffield's local leagues.
- Oct 2001 – John Barnes and other guests speak at the Moving On Up conference at Sheffield Hallam University, organised by FURD and former Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford player Andy Kiwomya.
- Nov 2002 – FARE wins MTV Free Your Mind human rights award.
- June 2003: FURD is described as a 'model project' in the report 'Unite Against Racism in European Football: UEFA Guide to Good Practice'.
- Jan 2004 – Kick It Out hosts a star-studded tenth anniversary celebration and FURD receive a special award for its pioneering work as a community-based anti-racist football project.
- Apr 2004 – Sharrow United wins the Sheffield Regional Alliance Sunday League Cup.
- Jun 2004 – Streetkick event hosted at the Euro 2004 in Portugal.
- May 2005 – FURD delivers its first anti-racist training package to youth workers.
- Jun 2006 – FURD tours Streetkick at the World Cup in Germany.
- Jul 2006 – The Unity Cup, a tournament organised by Kick It Out for refugees and asylum seekers, is hosted in Sheffield by FURD.
- Dec 2006 – An OfstedOfstedThe Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
report on Sheffield Futures, which manages parts of FURD’s work, praises the work of FURD. - Apr 2007 – Sharrow United promoted to First Division of the Meadowhall Sheffield Sunday League.
- Apr 2007 – Staff and volunteers for FURD have a civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor Councillor Jackie Drayton at Sheffield Town Hall.
- Nov 2007 – PeléPeléHowever, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
meets staff at FURD and backs the programme. - Dec 2007 – FURD's Burundian coach, Desbon Bushiri establishes the Football Between Communities project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Mar 2008 – FURD volunteer Abdi Hussein is presented the Community Champion Award by Graham Taylor at the Football Without Frontiers conference in Belfast.
- Mar 2008 – Somalian footballer Liban AbdiLiban AbdiLiban Abdi is a Somali international footballer. He currently plays for Ferencváros in the Hungarian First Division.-Sheffield United:...
, a former FURD trainee makes a first-team debut for Sheffield United in a friendly against sister-club Ferencváros and scores the winner in a 1-0 win. - May 2008 – Sharrow United win the Meadowhall Sunday League Cup.
- Jun 2008 – Streetkick hosted in Austria and Switzerland during the European Football Championships.
- Oct 2008 – FURD wins the Score4Africa diversity award ahead of Kick It Out and Rio Ferdinand.
- Jan 2009 – Kyle WalkerKyle WalkerKyle Andrew Walker is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur and England.-Early life:Walker was born in Sheffield and grew up in the Sharrow district of the city...
, originally recommended to Sheffield United by FURD in 1997, makes his first-team debut in an FA Cup match against Leyton Orient. - Feb 2009: Kyle Walker makes his debut for England Under-19s, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Spain.
- May 2009: FURD, Sheffield United and The Hub African-Caribbean Centre host the Laurie CunninghamLaurie CunninghamLaurence Paul "Laurie" Cunningham was an England international footballer. When he joined Real Madrid, he became the first English player in the club's history....
Memorial Dinner at Bramall Lane as part of the Laurie Cunningham Project to commemorate Cunningham's life and the development of black football in Sheffield. - May 2010: Sharrow United win promotion to the Meadowhall League Premier Division in their 10th anniversary season.
- June 2010: 'Offside! - Kick Out Ignorance - Football Unites, Racism Divides', an exhibition researched by FURD about South African footballers' experiences of playing in Britain from 1899 onwards, opens at the District Six Museum, Cape Town, South Africa, at the start of the World Cup finals in South Africa.