Salford rugby legend, Adrian Morley, has backed a Greater Manchester campaign to kick hate crime into touch.
The former Salford Reds player, joined Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd, and the city’s young people to encourage rugby fans to stand up to hate. Players from LGBT rugby teams Manchester Canalsiders and Manchester Village Spartans have also backed the call to tackle hatred and prejudice.
As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, Salford Council has teamed up with the AJ Bell stadium – home of the Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks – to launch a new campaign to raise awareness of hate crime and how to report it.
Earlier in the week young people from across Salford had their say on how to tackle hate crime in all its forms at an event at the Beacon Centre in Broughton. They produced artwork on the issue which they showcased at the stadium last night ahead of Salford’s game against St Helens.
Tony Lloyd said: “There is no place for hate in our communities and we all have a responsibility to challenge it. It’s great to have people like Adrian Morley supporting this call to action. He is a role model for our young people, helping to educate them that it can never be acceptable to target someone because of who they are, and encouraging local people to stand together against hatred.”
Adrian Morley said: “Prejudice has no place on the pitch and it has no place in our communities which is why I’m proud to support this campaign. Rugby is an inclusive sport, built on strength and teamwork – values we can use on and off the pitch to tackle hate crime and empower our young people.”
Deputy City Mayor Councillor David Lancaster said: “I’m delighted to see Adrian – a giant of the game – come together with us to send out the message that hate crime has no place in society. I hope rugby fans will get behind the campaign and help spread the word to kick hatred into touch.”
Photo: Photo shows Martin Owens and Abdul Halim from Manchester Canalsiders, Dean Bee and Gareth Longley from Manchester Village Spartans, Tony Lloyd, Adrian Morley and his son with some of the artwork produced by the young people.
