Former Premier League player John Beresford has admitted chanting racist abuse from the terraces as a teenager.

Ex-Newcastle defender Beresford, who was awarded an MBE last year in recognition of his anti-discrimination work with Show Racism The Red Card, concedes he was part of the problem in the 1970s.

Racism was rife in English football at the time and Beresford concedes he now regrets his action as a spectator.

He told ITV: "In the late seventies black players were few and far between, but I would be doing the monkey chants, and I would be shouting abuse, and things like that.

(Image: Newcastle United)

(Image: Getty Images)

"I was part of a mob culture and it wasn't a time great for supporters, it was quite volatile.

"When I was younger, I was never told what was right, and what was wrong. Meeting people and understanding how wrong it was, helped change my views."

(Image: Getty)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Left-back Beresford started out at Manchester City before spells with Barnsley, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Southampton.

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He had a short stint on loan with Birmingham from St Mary's before spending time at Ossett, Alfreton and Halifax in non-league.