Supported by The FA, the event saw school children from around the country recognised for creative and artistic class work that promotes an anti-racism message with Nottingham’s Rosslyn Primary School picking up the Overall Winner Award for 2008.

Show Racism the Red Card was founded by Ged Grebby in 1996 and used Newcastle United players of the time such as Shaka Hislop, John Beresford and Warren Barton as anti-racism role models.

Since then, the organisation has expanded across the country and into Scotland and Wales as well with public service union, Unison, helping to spread the Red Card message.

Unison’s Dave Prentice commented: “We’re really proud to be associated with Show Racism the Red Card. We helped Ged launch the campaign in Newcastle all those years ago and, from that small acorn, it’s gone from strength to strength and grown into something fantastic.

“It’s vital that we get our message into schools as racism has no place in football or society and it’s brilliant that we’ve got so many great role models here today.”

Event host, Leroy Rosenior, believes that football is a great tool for educating children on the evils of racism: “The game has mass appeal and reaches so many people and players are realising that they’ve got responsibilities to wider society.

“The children here today have shown that they’re enthused by the anti-racism message and that’s great for our future.”

Fiona Peel is a teacher at the award winning Rosslyn Primary School and helped her class put together their animated Show Racism the Red Card entry: “About 22% of our school is BEM (Back and Ethnic Minority) so it’s important that our anti-racism work is ongoing.

“Schools are also advised on how to integrate different cultures into traditional school subjects and that kind of information is proving invaluable.”

England Women captain, Faye White, was delighted to attend the prize-giving and was impressed with the Red Card initiative: “It’s been a great event and it’s good to see football playing a part in something so positive.

“Show Racism the Red Card has made great strides over the last decade and hopefully that can continue for years to come.”

Joining Faye White and Theo Walcott were Red Card patron Chris Powell, The FA’s Brendon Batson plus long-term project supporters Bobby Barnes, Dave Bassett and Warren Barton.