Chelsea high flyers

I really do believe in football’s ability to change lives and from previous blogs you will know of my work with the Charlton Athletic Community Trust.

I've also been very impressed with the CSR work Chelsea have been doing. The club may have become known for what they spend rather than what they give back over the past decade but I have been aware of their community, anti- racism and social inclusion work for some time.

Their key staff in this area, Shaun Gore who leads the club’s football in the community programme and Simon Taylor who is the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, are great people putting the club on the map as much as the superstars on the field of play.

An example of the way in which their work is being recognised in football circles was that the club picked up the Intermediate Level of the Kick It Out Equality Standard last week, just a few days after launching a talent search for an Asian footballer.

On another Chelsea connection, I met David Baddiel recently who is looking at making an advertising film to highlight the fact that the word 'yid' is a racially offensive term. I support David's work and will be getting involved. The use of this term has gone unchallenged for too long and often leads to overt anti-semitism. Abusive terms like this just don't have a place in football anymore, whatever the context and we need to educate people as to its meaning.

I am also an ambassador for and a big fan of the FARE network. It's their 10th anniversary this year, ten years of doing some great, challenging work. I'm looking forward to getting involved in the celebrations!

First there's a meeting in Budapest later this month to look at how the network operates that I will be attending, I'm an ambassador but I want to make sure I contribute as much as possible, not just as a figurehead.

South Africa, Warsaw and Chelsea all top of the agenda

The dust has now settled on our recent trip to South Africa, and I and my fellow members of the Charlton Athletic Foundation Trust have got the chance to digest another successful trip. After seven years of visits, carefully laying out our template to help some of the country’s most troubled areas, no-one expected the project to run and run like it has done.

It’s been an unqualified success and we’re looking at the World Cup in 2010 as the point where we hand over the reins to the agencies on the ground in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The legacy we leave behind will be key and, after what we hope to be an amazing four weeks of football, the country should be energized into using the power of the game as a force for good.

UEFA conference to provide direction on discrimination

I’ve just got back from the ‘Unite Against Racism’ conference in the Polish city of Warsaw. This comes as part of my work with the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, a pan-European organisation dedicated to combating discrimination in European football.

These events can help the cause hugely. One only has to look at the English game to see the mix of nationalities and backgrounds in the Premier League alone. This eclectic mix makes for excitement but small-minded groups will always rail against it.

UEFA, in my opinion, have always taken a firm stance against racism at every juncture and whatever form it comes in. They’re ‘the daddy’ and do great work.

The ‘Unite Against Racism’ conference gave players, policy makers and fans the chance to sit down and talk about some of the burning issues we face in a constructive manner. And it’s not rocket science either. Good people, strong leadership and a commitment to the cause is a simple but effective recipe for progression.

Guus banishes the blues at the Bridge

It’s been a busy few weeks at my old club Chelsea. First Scolari leaves in a blaze of publicity and confusion. Then, they land one of the most sought after coaches in the world.

I’ve always held Guus Hiddink in great regard. From his days at PSV to his exploits with South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, his CV is impeccable. In my experience, the arrival of a new manager usually gives the players and the fans a boost.

But when it’s someone with Hiddink’s credentials, it could completely kick start a faltering season. And if recent performances against Juventus and Aston Villa are anything to go by, there’s still life in the title chase yet, though I still think its Manchester United’s to lose.

Hiddink has managed to get inside the players’ heads and make them want to play again. Look at Drogba. A player of unquestionable talent but who’s been underperforming. Now he’s firing on all cylinders. And Chelsea’s season is all of a sudden back on track.

They’ll face a tough challenge in the semi-finals of the FA Cup against either Arsenal or Hull, but with Hiddink at the helm, I see no reason to bet against them making a return trip to Wembley in May.