Club bosses back respect campaign
THEY may be great rivals, but the managers of Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle have joined forces with England manager Gareth Southgate to call for more respect at the grassroots level of the game.
Nationwide Building Society, partner of The FA, has pledged to ensure that one million parents and coaches engage with The FA Respect campaign over the next three years to help build a more mutually respectful society both on and off the pitch.
Nationwide has signed a new three-year partnership with The FA, and will support the body’s grassroots Respect campaign. It is committed to investing in and improving communities across the UK, and has undertaken research to show that there are ‘increasing levels of disrespect’ in the UK - something it aims to tackle.
According to the research, 66 percent of the British public say that levels of disrespect have become unacceptable, with 71 per-cent feeling that the problem has worsened in the last two years.
Meanwhile, 80 per-cent of those surveyed believe public figures are responsible for setting a good example, with 63 per-cent believing that footballers should set an example by showing respect on the pitch.
City boss Taylor said: “Respect on and off the field of play, in the game and in society from everyone involved, is vitally important.
“It is fantastic to see Nationwide and The FA committing to a pledge to reach one million parents and coaches in order to engage with The FA Respect campaign over three years.
Argyle boss Ryan Lowe added: “We all like to win but respect for the game and each other on the field and in society is just as important.
“Respect in these challenging times is important on and off the pitch.”