Watching the horrific video of George Floyd being murdered on the streets in Minnesota by someone who had sworn to protect and serve his community has, as with everyone, hit hard. An ocean away but the issue is all too familiar.

Racism is a stain on society, if we ignore it or we just get angry and do nothing about it then we are a part of the problem not the solution. We can only be a part of the solution if we take action. As a white male I can never truly understand what it must feel like to experience prejudice. I have extreme empathy and a desire to help but true understanding can only come from a place of experience. I hate for it to have taken something so devastating to make me take some form of action but it is moments like this where we get to reflect and question ourselves. Which made me think what can I do to be a part of the solution rather than just being another white male that gets angry with the situation, desperately wants things to be better, but ultimately does nothing to enable any positive change.

I’m a part of an institution of sorts, albeit a micro-institution, and this is the only platform I have and the only thing I can make a direct change to. As a committee we are all white, this isn’t through choice or prejudice this is because our club is situated in town which is majority white but it also doesn’t excuse the fact that we have never done anything to actively promote representation.

Seaford Town FC is a community club and we take immense pride in being inclusive. Any and all backgrounds are welcome. People’s colour, gender, age or sexual preference is not a factor in the inclusivity of the club but how would anyone know this from the outside looking in. I believe we can do more to let everyone know football is the peoples game and is for everyone to enjoy and as a club we very much have an open door for any and all to enjoy it with us.

I want to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the committee to extend an open invitation for any person of colour who feels like they would like to join our committee and help us grow and succeed.

I also hope this sparks something in other clubs to be more pro-active in creating a better represented society. We are all guilty of shying away from the race issue, those of us that know we are not racist but at the same time are sitting back and not doing anything to solve the issue need to take accountability of ourselves, stand up and be a part of the solution in which ever small way we can.

I wish you and your family safety and happiness,

Tom Webster
Chairman

Please contact: chairman@seafordtownfc.com if you would like to be involved with the club.

For more information on what the football community is doing to fight racism: https://www.premierleague.com/NoRoomForRacism