Football academy students at South East Essex College are promoting the national campaign to "Kick Racism Out of Football."

The 17 students came up with the idea before Christmas and, with the help of the Marketing Department at the College, purchased t-shirts that the students proudly wore to their first Academy training session of the New Year.

Racism in football has been a big issue of late both at international level with England matches and at local level following Canvey Island's visit to Halifax.

The Academy also saw that Southend United had got behind the scheme and wanted to show their full support as well.

The brand new Football Academy course was introduced in September last year and, after observing several other similar sports academies in the Essex and London region, it was clear it was time for the Southend-based college to join the ever increasing demand for these courses.