A footballer who received abuse at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium is spearheading the Football League’s ‘Together Against Racism’ campaign.

The EFL re-launched their campaign ahead of the weekend, encouraging players, managers, and fans – both in the stands and at home – to use their voices to drive change.

Between October 17-28, the campaign will focus on giving fans, players and managers a voice, learning about their experiences, hearing first-hand stories and showcasing how football is fighting to remove racism from our game.

The campaign was launched with a content film featuring former Newport County, now-Crewe Alexandra forward, Omar Bogle, speaking about his experience of being racially abused while playing for the Exiles away at Gillingham last season.

A 28-year-old spectator was charged with racially aggravated intentional harassment and admitted the offence after making monkey gestures.

He was ordered to pay Bogle £200 compensation, was placed on a 12-month community order and told to attend rehabilitation sessions. Gillingham FC were quick to dish out a lifetime ban after the incident happened.

Bogle – who scored twice in 2-0 win for Newport County in the match in October last year – said empowering people to use their voice around experiences of racial discrimination is the vehicle to drive change.

Bogle said: “Racism is still there, it is something that can’t be hidden and you can’t turn a blind eye to it. It is about bringing more awareness from...black people or whoever to come and speak, share your experiences and have a voice.

“By doing that, we need to let people know that together we must move away from the mindset that racism doesn’t exist.

“I’m comfortable telling my story on the basis that it’s going to make a difference and that it’s going to help. I want my story to have some kind of effect and to make things better, not just in football, but in society as well.”

The EFL have said that during the 12 days of the campaign their clubs “will engage and showcase a range of new and existing activity in their local communities that uses the power of football to make a lasting difference; inspiring and enriching lives, but also challenging unwelcome behaviour.”

The EFL’s campaign will run concurrently alongside the Premier League’s ‘No Room for Racism’ and the FA’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaigns throughout October, highlighting the work that is being done at all levels of the game.

EFL chief exec Trevor Birch said: “EFL Clubs are proud to represent the communities they serve and work hard through various initiatives to create a welcoming environment for all.

“This season’s campaign is focused on giving clubs, managers, players and fans a voice, as we hear first-hand the negative impact of racism, alongside some of the more positive steps clubs are taking to help remove it from our game.”

“Some of the work being undertaken really does make a difference and we need to continue to use the powerful platform our sport provides to assist in creating positive change within our communities.”

The EFL added that clubs will take swift and firm action against anyone identified in making racist or discriminatory behaviour, working with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face club sanctions and police action.

Gillingham FC worked hard last season at trying to eradicate abusive behaviour among spectators after incidents inside Priestfield of “vile abuse” which led to a £12,500 fine from the Football Association and threats of more severe action, including the possibility of points deductions.

The Gills said at the time: “There is no place for any manner of discriminatory, offensive, or abusive behaviour or language of any kind inside our ground.”

Fans can contact a dedicated phone number, 07776 090083, if they witness racist or discriminatory abuse at Priestfield or alert a steward.

A year on from that incident against Newport, the Gills are set to welcome the same team back to Priestfield Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday) night.