THE FIRST dedicated football hate crime officer has been appointed. West Midlands Police officer, PC Stuart Ward, has been tasked with tackling racists in football in the United Kingdom.

Ward will be based in a football unit and lead their efforts to stamp out the issue, with his force saying his role offers “greater ability to investigate offences.”

The PC was the victim of racism while playing for a junior football team aged 11 and believes his understanding of its impact will ensure he can provide support to victims.

Football’s anti-racism Kick It Out reported that last season there were 287 reported hate crime incidents connected to matches in England and Wales.

The organisation also revealed there was a 42 per cent rise in reports of discrimination during the previous football campaign.

Of his childhood football torment, Ward confessed: “It came from another player and the thing that stuck with me was how no-one did anything about it, other than my mum who stopped the game and took me off the pitch.”

“There were parents, match officials, the other players – who were old enough to know right from wrong – who didn’t challenge the comments or support me.

“So, having sadly been subjected to discrimination I know the feelings and the impact it can have on you.

“I feel I’m in a position where I can offer help and support, while looking to take action against those involved.”

The role will include investigating complaints of hate crime linked to football, monitoring online interactions and working with the region’s clubs.

This includes both professional and amateur level to highlight what is an offence and the importance of reporting it.

PC Ward will also be visiting schools to educate young people about discrimination.

Hate crime has been to the fore throughout the season.

Alex Dyer, the only black manager in the Scottish Premiership, recently suffered racist abuse.

Kilmarnock contacted police after receiving a letter containing abuse directed at Dyer, the club said.

“We are working with Police Scotland to identify any individuals involved in this disgusting act and we will pursue the strongest possible action we can against them,” the club said in a statement.

“As a club, we have shown our support to rid the game and society as a whole of racial discrimination by taking the knee before each fixture this season and we will continue to do so.

“Racism in any form is completely unacceptable and must be called out whenever and wherever it is found.”

Dyer, 55, joined the Ayrshire club in 2017 as former boss Steve Clarke’s right-hand man, and is also part of his backroom team with the Scotland squad

The Kilmarnock boss had a 19-year professional career as a player in England, and briefly Portugal, spanning eight different clubs with over 450 appearances. But despite extensive experience as a player, he did not get into management immediately.

He trained to become a fitness coach and personal trainer and worked as a sports coach at a London school before joining the sports science department at West Ham in 2004.

It was not long before he made the transition to coaching, though, as he took charge of the London club’s reserve team until 2011, when he joined Charlton as assistant to Chris Powell.