Shaka Hislop reflects on 30 years of Show Racism the Red Card

Shaka Hislop, the honorary president of Show Racism the Red Card, has reflected on the charity as it marks its 30th anniversary, saying it “might take another 100 years to dismantle racism but we’ll get there”. Hislop traces the charity’s origins to a 1995 incident outside St James’ Park when, as Newcastle goalkeeper, he was abused while filling his car at a petrol station.

The episode, he says, prompted a conversation with Ged Grebby and led within two months to Hislop and team‑mate John Beresford visiting Gosforth High School — the first event organised by the charity. Show Racism the Red Card grew with support from north‑east players including Gary Bennett and Curtis Fleming and a string of dressing‑room volunteers who toured schools.

The charity now runs anti‑racism workshops in schools, colleges, workplaces and football stadiums across the UK, and Beresford’s openness about his own learning is cited as influential in those early sessions. Hislop, who lives near Boston and works as a football analyst for ESPN, has faced health challenges in recent years: he underwent a radical prostatectomy 13 months ago and completed an eight‑week course of radiation therapy for a “fairly aggressive” form of prostate cancer, and says he is “doing very well”.

He also credits PSA screening in the US with saving his life and notes it is not officially recommended in the UK.

Key Topics

Sports, Shaka Hislop, Newcastle United, Ged Grebby, Prostate Cancer, Psa Screening