CAPTAIN Joss Labadie has pledged to personally ensure Newport County AFC get the chance to take the knee before every fixture after criticism for the Exiles failing to carry out the gesture last weekend.

The Exiles marked the movement for racial equality before kick-off against Stevenage Borough on Tuesday after it did not take place before Saturday’s win against Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade.

That led to criticism of his hometown club from former Wales striker Nathan Blake, who was working at the fixture for BBC Radio Wales.

READ MORE: Blake - Newport should have taken the knee

However, the Exiles say it was an error that was down to breakdown in communication between referee Thomas Bramall and the skippers Labadie and Peter Clarke.

There was no repeat at the Lamex Stadium and the County talisman admits a lesson has been learnt and that he will be proactive when given the armband.

“In my experience this season it has been something that the referee usually instigates. It’s nothing to do with the club,” said midfielder Labadie.

“It’s something that we fully support, but in the build-up to battle it was something that didn’t cross my mind as captain. The referee usually instigates it, like he did at Stevenage.

“Unfortunately, it just got lost in the moment but everyone at the club is 100 per cent behind it.

“It’s my job now – even if the referee does forget to instigate it then it is something that we will be doing.

“Nathan is a good guy and I know him personally, it’s something that he picked up on but it is something that we will continue to do from now on.”

Free Press Series: GESTURE: Wales and England take the knee at WembleyGESTURE: Wales and England take the knee at Wembley

County chairman Gavin Foxall pledged to investigate the issue when pressed by Blake live on air but was quick to point to the club’s support for the Wear Red Day, an anti-racism education campaign, and the presence of the ‘Not Today or Any Day’ logo on the shirts of EFL clubs.

Manager Michael Flynn says his players are not being forced to take a knee but that they want to carry out the gesture.

“All my players back the fight against racism and so does the football club. The club do a lot for diversity and I am from a multi-cultural area in Pill,” he said.

“I would never force anybody to do anything they didn’t want to do. The players want to do it.”

EFL guidance states that it remains the choice of individual players to take the knee.

They advise that "clubs should try to mutually agree an approach before each match" but "should there be no agreement, then individual players will be free to take the knee".

The EFL state that match officials are briefed to facilitate the requests and that captains should state their team's approach in the pre-match briefing.