A YOUNG Prudhoe sportsman has flown the flag for equality to win a national award.

Josh Bond’s poster design saw him named a winner of the Show Racism the Red Card national school competition.

Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s anti-racism educational charity and was established in January 1996.

As part of his prize, the 12-year-old footballer was given the opportunity to meet England manager Gareth Southgate at Leicester City FC’s King Power Stadium.

Josh entered the competition alongside his classmates in year seven at Highfield Middle School.

His was one of three the school selected to submit to the national competition.

And Josh, who plays for Prudhoe Tigers football team, was gobsmacked to learn that his poster had won.

The schoolboy’s design, which features the slogan ‘We are all in the same race, we are all equal no matter what,’ saw him named one of three winners in the artwork category for school years seven to nine.

And on May 3, alongside dad Wayne, he travelled to Leicester to meet a host of sporting legends at the Show Racism the Red Card School Competition 2017 awards ceremony.

Josh had his England shirt signed by Gareth Southgate and legendary footballer Luther Blissett.

He also met players from Leicester City FC Ladies, Leicester Riders and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

Josh said: “Walking up to meet Gareth Southgate was quite scary and unique, but he was really nice.

“He asked if I enjoyed making the poster and if I like football; of course I said yes to both questions.

“It’s good to win a competition based on something I believe in and I think it’s still an important issue to raise.”

Josh, who plays American football and takes part in athletics, dreams of becoming a professional sportsman one day.

Dad Wayne said: “It meant the world to him to go down to Leicester and meet these sporting legends.

“We’re very proud of him and the school is absolutely over the moon.”