The FA is aiming to enlist 150 clubs to help promote its ‘Football v Homophobia’ campaign.
English football’s governing body announced it was putting its support behind the initiative last month, shortly after kicking off celebrations for its 150th anniversary.
The FA wants to focus its attention on the issue of homophobia and transphobia in football. The game we all love is for everyone – and that includes lesbian, bisexual, gay and trans people (LGB&T).
A whole host of clubs, leagues and County FAs up and down the country have been backing the campaign.
Last month, we told you about Roy Hodgson and West Ham United FC getting involved and there have been many more examples of support as already over 40 clubs, leagues and County FAs have signed up to help us move towards the 150 target.
Arsenal celebrated their LGB&T fanbase at their FA Cup game against Blackburn Rovers on 16 February and invited representatives from organisations involved to attend the match, including Football v Homophobia, Stonewall and Kick It Out.
Ebbsfleet United’s match against Stockport County that took place on the same day was designated as a ‘Football V Homophobia’ match, with players from both teams wearing campaign t-shirts throughout the warm up and flyers and posters being distributed at the game.
Yeovil Town Ladies will also be designating their match against Millwall Lionesses as a ‘Football v Homophobia’ fixture on 31 March and they will be supporting this with a Twitter and Facebook campaign.
In April, Surrey FA are running a community festival for adults, with a 5-a-side competition open to all community groups, local authority teams, or groups of friends. They will also have literature and information for spectators and teams to highlight the Football v Homophobia campaign.
The FA has sent out educational resources around the Football v Homophobia campaign to all 92 Premier and Football League clubs, 1,600 clubs playing in the non-League pyramid and 50 County Football Associations.
If you wish to enlist your club, league or County FA as one of the ‘FvH’ supporters, or would like to see which clubs have signed up to back the campaign so far, please visit our ‘Football v Homophobia’ page.
