Following its success last year, the FA has once again supported a Set Your Stall Out weekend allowing grassroots clubs and leagues to send out a clear message as to how they want the game to be played.
This year 1,500 clubs took part across 100 leagues – 25% up on the numbers for last year.
The FA provided a range of Respect resources for clubs which served to raise awareness in pavilions, changing rooms and on touchlines at clubs up and down the country.
Surrey’s Charter Standard Club of the Year in 2014, Banstead-based Beecholme Belles, took centre stage.
The team sported their new Respect gear at Surrey’s SYSO showcase and next weekend the team will serve as Respect Ambassadors at Woking FC when the Vanarama National League side host Wrexham on Saturday 17 October.
The Belles will line up with the players and pre-match have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the anticipated 3,000 crowd.
Hampshire FA received a huge boost in its build-up to SYSO Day after League Two Portsmouth backed the campaign by making lasts week’s home game against Yeovil an official Respect fixture.
Colin Farmery, head of safeguarding and inclusion at Portsmouth said: “We were delighted when Hampshire FA approached.
"As a community football club, the values the Respect campaign is promoting chime perfectly with our own agenda and want Fratton Park to be a stadium where everyone in our community feels welcome and can enjoy their football in a vibrant, but safe and secure environment. That is what this campaign is all about.”
“The response to Set Our Your Stall has once again been tremendous but we shouldn’t be surprised at this – improving behaviour in the game is something that virtually everyone gets behind.
“I applaud the efforts of all the clubs, teams and leagues that have taken part. All the evidence suggests that behaviour is improving and campaigns like this just provide a further prod at the start of a new season’
Premier League side Stoke City will be hosting a Respect fixture on Saturday 24 October when Watford visit the Britannia Stadium.
It will be the third time the Potters have played a designated Respect fixture in conjunction with Staffordshire FA
The FA is keen to hear about your experiences of Set Your Stall Out’. Email a picture to respect.info@thefa.com or tweet with #RespectSYSO.
