FOOTBALL is doing its best to kick racism into touch. But the appalling scenes in Madrid last week, when black England players were openly abused with monkey chants from the terraces, show that there is a long way to go.

It is against that background that former Darlington, Chelsea and Liverpool player David Speedie chose to make sickening jokes about "niggers and blackies" at a charity function in Darlington.

Speedie also decided that the sportsmen's dinner, organised by the Darlington Supporters' Trust, was a good opportunity to defend the ignorant and unguarded comments of Ron Atkinson.

Atkinson resigned as an ITV commentator earlier this year after branding former Chelsea star Marcel Desailly a "f****** lazy n****r" while he thought his microphone was switched off.

Steve Rose, the chief executive of Darlington Partnership, is right to speak out about Speedie's comments, because those guilty of peddling any form of racism need to be made aware that it is not acceptable.

It is not the fault of the supporters' trust, which had no warning that Speedie would make such offensive comments at an event designed to raise money for the disabled.

But we hope that the trust - along with any other organisation which is arranging such an event - will make it crystal clear to speakers that racism and other forms of bigotry will not be tolerated.

As for David Speedie, we hope he has the good grace to apologise for the offence and embarrassment he has caused - particularly to the black members of staff who were working at the event.