SAFC legend Gary Bennett speaking with youngsters at the Academy of Light about the Windrush and his own career.
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00:00 manager he signs me so what do you think the players thought when I come through
00:06 the changing room?
00:08 Not necessarily discriminating.
00:10 They'll want to be better than you type of thing?
00:12 They'll want to be better than me but what else do you think they might have thought?
00:14 Because I played for Leinachers and all of a sudden...
00:18 They might have thought you were being good because he's brought you in.
00:20 That's right, so all of a sudden you think oh he's coming to the changing rooms so straight away I don't know if you've ever had this feeling
00:28 when you're in the changing rooms and a new player comes through that door what do you think?
00:34 I hope he's positive and inspirational.
00:36 That's right, you're 100% good. That's what you do.
00:40 Okay then Don, I'll just start by asking about the Windrush 75 project then please.
00:44 Yeah, it's this year's annual Premier League Under-12 tournament which as you'll know from last year is a big flagship academy project
00:52 for all Category 1 academies and this year there is a focus on Windrush 75 as it's the 75th anniversary of Windrush
01:00 when the first boat came over in 1948.
01:04 As it's always been there is a general focus around the World War 1 and the Christmas Truce
01:10 but because there's a celebration around Windrush we're looking to link in with people in the local community
01:18 where there's a bit of a Caribbean heritage and fortunately we've got the African Caribbean Association
01:24 who are based on Hilton Road, they're interested to get involved with us and possibly create some relationships
01:30 which hopefully will be long lasting and they can develop something going forward.
01:35 And how important is it that the children learn about this part of history now?
01:38 Like the impact on multiculturalism in our society today?
01:41 It's massively important. I think there's a big push to get Windrush recognised in the National Curriculum at school
01:46 certainly within history but also as you say just to celebrate multiculturalism
01:51 and just to see the benefit it's had on society and the economy in general.
01:56 How good is that Gary Bennett come along and speak to the kids tonight?
01:59 It's massive because Gary although he's not from the area he's settled in the area, he's become, I think he's recognised by the fans
02:06 I think they relate to him, they see him as being one of our own within Sunderland, he's probably an honorary MACA
02:12 and his contribution is massive not just within football but his work outside of football
02:17 he's nationally been recognised with his work around anti-racism in football.
02:21 Say no to racism type of thing.
02:24 Kind of like we're like this isn't race to you, like P.E.
02:29 P.S.H.A.
02:31 Like ban racism.
02:34 Well, stop it really.
02:37 Do you know what racism is? So for instance, you'll see some of the Premier League teams now and what did they do?