On Monday July 22, 2019 Mr Robertson united with manager Steven Gerrard, captain James Tavernier, midfielder Andy Halliday, prominent politicians and a diverse range of supporters, who took part in the campaign visuals, to officially introduce the enterprise to the wider fanbase at a high-profile media launch at Ibrox Stadium.
Since then Everyone Anyone, in collaboration with the Rangers Charity Foundation, has gone from strength to strength and Rangers have been widely praised by football authorities, local politicians, community leaders and other football clubs for championing diversity, encouraging tolerance and understanding and promoting positive behaviour.
The campaign stands out as it features genuine Rangers supporters from different backgrounds, religions and identities who are all united by a common bond, regardless of age or gender, which is a shared love of the club.
While supporter behaviour is an important element, and the club has been robust when dealing with anyone guilty of inappropriate conduct, Everyone Anyone’s core values are about celebrating diversity through football and 2020 will see the club continue their hard work in this area with a number of key events planned.
Among them will be the launch of a new Fans Charter ahead of the Europa League tie against Braga next month.
Reflecting on six months of Everyone Anyone, Mr Robertson said: “We have demonstrated beyond any doubt that Rangers is a football club for all and I would say without hesitation that the Everyone Anyone campaign has been a huge success so far.
“I thank all the supporters who took part in the campaign creative last summer – the visuals produced were stunning and really highlights what a broad supporter base we have.
“We have also taken bold steps to help eradicate unacceptable behaviour – as you all know we refused to take tickets for our opening Europa League group game against Young Boys in Switzerland – and we will have no hesitation in repeating that in future should any unwanted behaviour return.
“It is 2020, there is no place in football or indeed society for racism, homophobia or anti-social behaviour. Ibrox is a place where we can all come together, celebrate our diversity and enjoy the football.
“I thank all supporters who have backed our campaign and taken on board the importance of Everyone Anyone’s core messages.
“In partnership with the Rangers Charity Foundation, we have forged strong links with local community organisation, notably through our association with CEMVO – an ethnic minority body – and the club has hosted a number of successful workshops at the stadium as we look to embed ourselves in the local and wider community.
“Our Football in the Community team, operating under the Everyone Anyone banner, has also provided top-level coaching to a diverse range of community groups including the Well Foundation, an organisation set up to help provide safe, clean drinking water for all worldwide, and one of their volunteers Fahim Baqir is heavily involved in the Everyone Anyone campaign.
“He also helps groups of Muslim children flourish by playing football and our FITC team now runs regular coaching sessions at Ravenscraig which the children take part in after they attend prayers at the local mosque.
“Fahim’s story mirrors that of all fans in the EA campaign. They all share a genuine love for Rangers as does Rhiannon Hughes, a founder member of the Ibrox Pride LGBT Supporter’s Club, Chander Singh, a Sikh who has supported Rangers all his life, the Reverend Stuart MacQuarrie and Gary Farmer, a serving Naval officer who is part of our Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.
“All their personal stories have featured in various match-day programme interviews throughout the season and again the strength of their love for Rangers is one of the strengths of the campaign. They all clearly have a shared love for the club and were happy to endorse our campaign.
“I thank them all for taking the time to share their stories and experiences of following Rangers around the world.
“We do not seek praise of course. It was merely the right thing to do and we are very proud of the work done so far.
“We have been contacted by supporters in confidence via a dedicated Everyone Anyone email address who have expressed concerns about fan behaviour. The club’s security team has investigated a number of complaints and taken action where appropriate. We have issued indefinite bans for unacceptable behaviour while a number of other fans have attended rehabilitation courses – run in partnership with SACRO – at the stadium. We are serious about tackling such behaviour and education is an important strand to the campaign.
“I must stress again though. This is not merely about punishing supporters. We want everyone to come to Ibrox, leave any baggage at the door and follow the team in the correct manner. We cannot fix problems in society, but we can play our part and it is a responsibility we are happy to take on.
“We will have more details in due course but we are looking forward to launching a new Fans Charter next month ahead of our European tie against Braga at Ibrox.
“Every supporter, player and staff member has a responsibility to represent Rangers in the best possible way and we will be asking season ticket holders, supporter’s clubs and fan groups to sign a pledge to encourage positive behaviours.
Rangers Charity Foundation Director Connal Cochrane added: “The Foundation is proud to be working alongside the club as part of the Everyone Anyone campaign.
“We have been delivering a range of programmes in the community this season, including expanded weekly Autism Friendly Football sessions, Visually Impaired Football for young people and our ground breaking Diversity Wins programme which enjoyed a recent visit from Glen Kamara.
“The Rangers Charity Foundation is for everyone and with the support of the Rangers Family we were also delighted to be recognised in October with the Diversity in Sport Award at the Herald’s Annual Diversity Awards.”
Rangers is for everyone and anyone and this campaign sends a clear message of zero tolerance to all forms of discrimination, on and off the pitch.
If you witness any inappropriate behaviour and wish to contact the club in confidence you can e-mail everyoneanyone@rangers.co.uk any time.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Everyone Anyone campaign.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Rangers Charity Foundation.