United against street violence
South-East London rivals Charlton and Millwall will join forces on Saturday to send out a clear message against street violence.
The two clubs have agreed to remove their sponsors' logos from the front of each team's jerseys for the high-profile League One match at The Valley.
In their place will be a powerful, special edition Street Violence Ruins Lives logo to promote the Addicks' campaign to combat knife and gang crime.
The game is being dedicated to the memories of Rob Knox and Jimmy Mizen, two young supporters of the two clubs who were murdered in street violence incidents during 2008.
And Kent Reliance Building Society (KRBS) and CYC Logistics, the sponsors of Charlton and Millwall respectively, will remove their brands from the front of both teams' shirts for the fixture, with both companies fully understanding the significant and powerful role that football can play in changing social attitudes.
Charlton chief executive Steve Waggott said: "Street violence is a huge problem in our society; this game will really help to raise the issue in the minds of football fans and the wider community.
"We are calling on all football clubs across the UK to come together and create a dedicated awareness day every season for this social issue.
"I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the two sponsors, KRBS and CYC Logistics, for being such a fundamental part of this campaign. To remove their logos from the front of the shirts highlights their corporate social responsibility and has really helped make this a unique tribute."
Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler added: "Millwall is proud to be part of such a forward thinking and powerful initiative, and we are delighted to be able to unite with Charlton and show that on-field rivalries are put aside for important issues such as tackling street violence.
"We reiterate our thanks to both sponsors for their part in the day, and we are sure that it will be hugely successful. I am sure Millwall supporters will join Charlton fans in giving this initiative their full backing to honour the memories of Jimmy and Rob."
The two clubs are working in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police and the football authorities regarding Saturday's initiative.
Before the match, the parents of the two murdered youngsters - Sally and Colin Knox, and Barry and Margaret Mizen - will be introduced to fans, wearing the one-off shirts with the names of their late sons on their backs. Both families will then greet the players when they come out for the game.
After the match, the two sets of shirts will be auctioned, with proceeds going to the Rob Knox Memorial Fund and the Jimmy Mizen Foundation.
The game is being used to highlight the social problem of street violence which has blighted the UK for the past few years. It is part of a Street Violence Ruins Lives campaign that the Charlton Athletic Community Trust and the Addicks already run locally alongside local authorities and other organisations.
Additional activities will take place on the day of the game to raise valuable funds for both clubs' community operations to ensure that they can continue to deliver related programmes.
The money will be used to support the appointment of a crime reduction manager, boost current activities in the local areas of both clubs and deliver educational resources into schools to help direct young people away from a life of crime and into positive activities.
Charlton's Street Violence Ruins Lives education campaign was endorsed in the House of Commons last month - click here for details.
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