BRFC Blocks Supporters Trust`s Anti-Racism Advert

This week GIFT (Gas Independent Fans` Trust) submitted an advertisement for inclusion the Bristol Rovers` matchday magazine "The Pirate". The timing of the advertisement had been planned for some time and a quote for the full page ad had been received from the club. The idea was to coincide with the Kick it Out Campaign`s "One Game, One Community" weeks of action and highlighted players of all nationalities and races who have turned out for the club, in a quartered design with the caption "The United Colours of Rovers". A copy of the advert can be found on the GIFT Facebook page and will be available here shortly.

Unfortunately, GIFT has been informed by Bristol Rovers` Financial Director, Toni Watola, that the club is "unable to accept [the advert] in its current guise." The reason behind this is the inclusion, in small print, of the name and contact details of GIFT, the organisation that came up with the idea and design for the advertisement and was proposing to pay for its inclusion in the programme.

Watola went on to say: "Should you wish to place the advert under the name of Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, the advert would be accepted" and further explained that "the Club recognises Bristol Rovers Supporters Club as its partner and as such this is the route that we would expect to receive the promotion of fans objectives."

While GIFT recognises the special relationship that BRFC and the Supporters` Club enjoy, the Trust does not believe that this should be to the exclusion of other groups and it stands to reason GIFT would not pay for an advert to be placed in the name of another organisation. That the club`s stance should be taken over a cause that GIFT feels incredibly strongly about, the Kick it Out Campaign, during times when far-right groups are increasingly in the news is particularly galling.

GIFT Chair Gary Marks commented: "To say we are disappointed in the reaction of Bristol Rovers is an understatement.

"GIFT has put a huge amount of time and effort into what we believe is a really eye-catching advert that highlights 'The United Colours of Rovers` and we felt its inclusion in the programme would be a positive statement for both BRFC and the Kick it Out Campaign.

"The suggestion that GIFT pay for an ad in the Supporters` Club`s name is a non-starter for me; if Pepsi approached the club with an ad would they be asked to put it in Coca Cola`s name as they sponsor the League? I don`t think so, but this is no different.

"We`d also point out that other supporters groups and initiatives like the presidents` Club and Helpline are allowed programme space which makes this reaction even more astonishing."

Gary also noted that: "In Rovers` own publicity for 'One Game, One Community` the club has stated that "Bristol Rovers have a philosophy of inclusiveness, equality of opportunity and promotion of harmony" but, sadly, it appears this does not extend as far as some of the club`s own supporters."

GIFT is still hoping to highlight the Kick it Out Campaign and is now looking for other ways in which the design may be used as a way of showing fans just why the "One Game, One Community" weeks of action should be supported.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.