Grassroots football plays a vital role in shaping and influencing local communities, and Linlithgow Rose FC has shown that meaningful action against racism is achievable regardless of a club’s size or level.
For football to be truly welcoming, everyone must play their part in challenging racism and promoting inclusion. While national campaigns and days of action are important, real and lasting change happens when clubs make these values part of their everyday culture.
That commitment is reflected at Linlithgow Rose Football Club. Based at The MV Commercial Prestonfield Stadium in Linlithgow, the semi-professional Lowland League East side is rooted in the community, with teams ranging from under-6s through to under-20s, as well as an amateur team, an over-35s side, walking football teams, and a thriving girls' and women's section, all carrying the club’s name.
Billy Singh, Campaign Manager, Show Racism the Red Card, said:
“We are delighted to see the commitment Linlithgow Rose is showing to tackling racism through football. What particularly stands out is that the club is making the message part of its regular matchday activity, its digital content, its community engagement and its wider club culture.
“This is exactly the kind of sustained commitment that can make a real difference. Linlithgow Rose is showing that you don’t have to be a huge club to use your platform effectively and send a strong message that racism has no place in football or wider society.
“We hope other clubs will look at what Linlithgow Rose is doing and be inspired to take similar steps. Every club has a role to play, and collectively the football community can have a hugely positive impact in challenging racism and creating a game where everyone feels welcome, respected and included and that spreads into the wider community.”
Anti-racism education
Show Racism the Red Card is the UK's leading anti-racism education charity and works with schools, workplaces, sports clubs and community organisations to help people challenge prejudice and stereotypes.
Education and community engagement are at the heart of Linlithgow Rose Football Club’s approach to promoting inclusion.
In September 2026, the club welcomed Billy Singh to host a face-to-face Show Racism the Red Card workshop, with clubs from across West Lothian invited to attend. By opening the event to neighbouring clubs, Linlithgow Rose wanted to encourage shared learning, spark discussion and strengthen football's collective commitment to tackling racism.
The hour-long educational session explored the impact of discrimination and prejudice, and discussed practical ways the club, its players and supporters can help create a more inclusive environment both on and off the pitch.
Through initiatives like these, Linlithgow Rose is demonstrating how grassroots football clubs can use education to challenge racism and foster a culture of respect and belonging for everyone.
Jon Mahoney, Club President at Linlithgow Rose FC, said:
“We are delighted that Show Racism the Red Card has shared their extensive experience of helping to tackle racism across all sectors of Scottish society with the club. There are no circumstances under which it’s acceptable to abuse people because of their race or ethnicity and, as a club which tries to reflect the values of its community, we’ll continue to work hard to root out such behaviour and to deal with it effectively where it arises.”
Making anti-racism visible
At the MV Commercial Prestonfield Stadium, the anti-racism message has recently become a visible and consistent part of the matchday experience through the club's ongoing partnership with Show Racism the Red Card.
Rather than limiting its support to a single fixture or annual campaign, Linlithgow Rose has embedded the message across its matchday and digital platforms, ensuring it reaches supporters, volunteers, players and thousands of viewers at home throughout the season.
Two pitch-side advertising boards proudly display the Show Racism the Red Card logo, including one positioned directly opposite the main stand. The branding features prominently in the club's YouTube highlights packages, which regularly attract between 1,000 and 4,000 views, before being shared across the club's social media channels to reach an even wider audience.
The campaign's logo has also been incorporated into the opening graphics of the highlights packages alongside team line-ups and club sponsors, giving the anti-racism message a permanent place in the club's digital content.
Inside the ground, supporters are met with further reminders that football is for everyone. Framed Show Racism the Red Card posters are displayed in both the main stand and covered enclosure, while committee members, volunteers and the management team wear campaign pin badges on matchdays, demonstrating that promoting equality is a responsibility shared across the club.
The club is also taking steps to strengthen the visibility of the campaign in future communications. A new post-match interview backdrop, featuring club sponsors alongside the Show Racism the Red Card logo, is currently being produced. Every interview shared online will provide another opportunity to reinforce football's stand against racism.
Together, these initiatives reflect Linlithgow Rose FC's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where people feel respected and valued.
By making the message visible, supporting education, engaging supporters and backing anti-racism campaigns throughout the season, the club demonstrates how sustained action can create meaningful change and impact beyond the full-time whistle.
Weekend of Action
Preparations are underway for Show Racism the Red Card's Weekend of Action in October, when players from across Scottish football leagues will hold anti-racism campaign cards before kick-off; sending a clear message that racism has no place in football.
The dedicated Weekend of Action provides an opportunity for clubs, players and supporters to unite in challenging racism and promoting inclusion.
Billy Singh, campaign manager from Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland said: “We are delighted once again that Scottish football is supporting our much-needed anti-racist message.
“Football fans can be a force for good and by being active anti-racists we can change hearts, minds and lives."
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