United against racism

Kick It Out (Racism) ambassador Jack Collison has told the official matchday programme how West Ham United are committed to ridding the game of prejudice.

The 21-year-old Hammers and Wales midfielder will join his team-mates in wearing special Kick It Out T-shirts in the build-up to Sunday's Barclays Premier League visit of Arsenal to the Boleyn Ground.

The match is the culmination of a week of action aimed at encouraging integration and understanding among people from all backgrounds.

"To be the club's Kick It Out ambassador is a great honour. Football connects people here and worldwide. It is such a massive part of people's lives and to be involved with Kick It Out and the work they do to raise awareness is great. It is good for the game and important that we take a stand against racism.

"I do a lot of travelling with the club and Wales. Thankfully, the hard work that has been done here has made a big difference but when you go to some foreign countries unfortunately it is still about. Anything we can do to raise awareness of racism and educate people positively can only be a good thing."

To read more from Collison, as well as a host of other exclusive interviews and features, including James Tomkins' My Dream Team, Zavon Hines Talking Football and Gianfranco Zola's column, purchase a copy of Sunday's programme.

We also catch up with former Hammers striker Leroy Rosenior, look back on a unforgettable FA Cup tie in 1946 and find out about the club's recent community coaching assignment in Denmark.

The official matchday programme, priced at £3.50, will be available in and around the Boleyn Ground and online here.