The Kent FA have launched a poster campaign to highlight their ‘respect’ message in youth football.

Their campaign comes off the back of a recent statement issued which revealed the shocking extent of poor behaviour at grassroots level.

Children from across the county, aged between six and 16, are being invited to design and send in posters which encourage a more positive environment at matches played in Kent.

Winning posters will win their own football club an FA Respect pack which contains plenty of goodies including umbrellas, bibs, t-shirts and beanies.

The competition will run for six weeks and close on Friday, May 17.

Kent FA chief executive Darryl Haden said: “By inviting children to take part in this competition, we are providing them with a platform to encourage others to be respectful and create a positive environment for young people when playing football.

“Unfortunately, since the return of football we have keen a spike in discipline reports including abuse towards match officials, and these posters will spur on others to help create a positive culture when people are at matches. We are really excited to see what posters young people create.”

The Kent FA’s shocking list of incidents issued last month revealed that there were nine games at under-18 level abandoned due to poor behaviour in as many weeks.