Tranmere Rovers have been awarded the Preliminary level of The Equality Standard for Professional Football Clubs in recognition of their efforts to combat discrimination - the first Football League club to achieve the standard.

The Equality Standard is a framework which encourages and supports the development of equality practices and policies at professional clubs, across England and Wales and highlights six key areas of diversity; race, religion, age, gender, disability and sexual orientation.

The Club has been working alongside Kick It Out to deliver evidence against a series of objectives that ensure action in all areas of our operation; from the complaints reporting policy to the training of staff and employee personal development.

The Standard looks at how the delivers activities and projects to under-represented groups in the community, for which the Community Trust has been pivotal.

Tranmere Chief Executive Mick Horton commented: "We are thrilled to receive this award. It recognises the hard work the Club and our registered charity, Tranmere Rovers In The Community are putting in to combat discrimination."

Tranmere Rovers In The Community Manager Steve Williams said: "We are very proud of the work we do throughout the community and this award, together with our Football League Family Excellence Award for 2010, is something our supporters and the people of Wirral should be proud of too."

Piara Powar, Director of Kick It Out said: "It is a great achievement for the club and illustrates that Tranmere are playing their part in campaigning to tackle discrimination in its workforce and within its local community.

"Kick It Out will continue to work with the club on equality developments and to ensure that equality of opportunity, inclusion and fair treatment are at the heart of what they do."