Stonewall FC was established in February 1991 in London, when one founding member placed an advert in a gay publication, asking if like minded people wanted to play competitive football.Over thirty years on from that first season in the Sportsmans' Senior Sunday Football League, the club has grown in membership, now fielding three competitive 11-a-side teams, three competitive Women & Non-binary teams and offering regular training and recreational 5-a-side football.
"Football has the power to bring us together as clubs and communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and it's down to all of us to make that happen. That's why we, the Premier League, proudly stand alongside Stonewall in promoting equality and diversity".
The partnership within Stonewall encourages LGBT+ acceptance among children and young people involved in community and education initiatives, such as Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Kicks, and within Academies. Coaches, teachers and leaders are equipped with bespoke resources and programmes developed by the League and Stonewall which promote positive attitudes towards the LGBT+ community. Our clubs have come together between 29 November-5 December to celebrate Stonewall's 2024/25 Rainbow Laces campaign and show support for all LGBT people in football and beyond.
At Premier League fixtures across the Matchweeks 13 and 14, there will be bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flags, ball plinths, handshake boards and substitute boards. There will be also rainbow captain's armbands and rainbow laces. Clubs will also showcase the wide-ranging work they do all year round to support and celebrate their LGBT communities, showing there is no place for discrimination and demonstrating the power football has to bring people together. Indeed, we ask all fans support LGBT people in football and beyond by making them feel welcome. Show your support. Because when we all play our part, we make football everyone's game. Reporting abuse No one should receive abuse. To take a stand, we all need to make a positive change. If you see or hear abuse, here is how to call it out.
Throughout this journey, the club have also gone on to achieve a number of international tournament successes, with a Stonewall FC team reaching the final of every LGBT tournament we've entered, since the year 2000. One thing that hasn’t changed since the clubs inception, is our commitment to creating footballing environments where people can be comfortable as their authentic-selves.Through this ambition, we are proud to have been a driving force in helping tackle discrimination within the game and will continue to challenge homophobia, transphobia and biphobia through the universal language of football.
Stonewall FC will continue to be a safe space for anyone who wishes to get involved with football.FIND OUT MORE: football@stonewallfc.com
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