Kettering Town director of football Forde condemns racist abuse of Redditch player

The Poppies were 2-1 winners in their latest Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central encounter at the weekend, in front of a crowd of 908.

Redditch attacker Sweeney took to social media at 6.30pm on Saturday evening to report he was racially abused by a spectator, or spectators, at Latimer Park.

He wrote: "I put up with most things said to me by fans on a football pitch, but to be racially abused by a fan at Kettering Town is disgusting!

"It’s not the first time Kettering has had to deal with racist fans. If I knew who it was, I promise you’d know. Hope you’re proud of yourself."

And on Sunday he added: "To anyone who may have heard who the racist scum bag(s) at the game against Kettering, please get in touch.

"Whether that be as you are, or anonymously, we need teach these people a harsh lesson. Nobody should be targeted due to the colour of their skin."

The Poppies reacted on Sunday afternoon with an official statement that read: "Condemning Racial Abuse. Dan Sweeney, We Stand With You.

"We are deeply shocked and appalled by the racial abuse directed at Redditch United player Dan Sweeney... there is absolutely no place for racism in football, or in society.

"What Dan experienced is abhorrent, and as a club we stand firmly with him and with Redditch United. We will not tolerate abuse of any kind, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable."

The statement added: "We are working with our security team and stewards, along with the relevant authorities, to identify the individual(s) responsible, and we will support any subsequent investigations in every way we can.

"To Dan: you have our unwavering support. We will do everything in our power to ensure you feel safe and respected, and we stand with Redditch United in offering you our full backing.

"We also urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and contact the club."

Director of football Forde then issued a second statement on the club's website, condemning the racist abuse and urging the club's supporters to report any abuse they witness.

The statement read: "We are writing this not as a standard, generic club statement, but as a direct appeal to the conscience of everyone who loves this football club.

"During our match against Redditch United, an opposition player, Dan Sweeney, was subjected to vile racial abuse. He was called a 'black b******.”

"It is sickening to type those words, and it is even more sickening that they were shouted in our ground.

"Let’s be completely honest with ourselves: this is not the first time.

"We can no longer hide behind the comforting lie that 'it’s just a small minority', or 'they don’t reflect the majority of our fans'.

"Every single time we dismiss hate by calling it a minority issue, we minimise the damage.

"The truth is, if the majority stays silent, that small minority becomes our identity.

"They tarnish our reputation in the eyes of opposition players, fans, and officials.

"They make our club look like a haven for bigotry.

"Is that really who we want to be? What kind of club do you want your children, your families, and your community to see when they look at us?

"This poison isn’t just happening on matchdays. It is festering daily on our online fan forums, which have become full of vile, racist language and toxic abuse.

"There is a massive difference between having a passionate footballing opinion and promoting hate, racism, and division.

"The hate spewed on those keyboards is now spilling directly onto our terraces. It has to stop.

"To the majority of our fans, the good, decent people who love this club for the right reasons, we are pleading with you.

"We need you to stand up. We need you to confront this minority head-on.

"If you see someone typing hate online, call them out.

"If you hear someone shouting abuse next to you on a Saturday afternoon, don’t look away. Tell a steward. Identify them to the club.

"Why are we protecting people who are actively destroying the reputation of the club we love?

"Racism isn’t just bad for football; it inflicts deep, lasting trauma on real human beings and their families.

"No one should have to go to their workplace and be degraded because of the colour of their skin.

"We cannot keep sending out generic statements that mean nothing.

"We need real cultural change, and the club cannot do it alone.

"Please, look at the person next to you, look in the mirror, and help us protect this club. Take responsibility.

"Speak up, call it out, and let’s reclaim who we actually are."