Former professional footballer Zander Murray has joined calls for urgent change across English football, as Millwall Romans launched a new campaign urging Premier League and EFL clubs to adopt and fund dedicated LGBTQ+ teams.
The initiative, led by Millwall FC’s LGBTQ+ side, is backed by new research suggesting strong support among fans for greater inclusion. More than 41% of UK supporters believe clubs in the top four leagues should have an LGBTQ+ team, rising to 83% among LGBTQ+ fans.
Murray, who made headlines in 2022 when he became one of the UK’s first openly gay senior male professional footballers, said the figures underline both the importance of visibility and the barriers that still exist within the game.
“Coming out as a professional player, I’ve seen the power of visibility, but I’ve also seen the barriers that still exist for LGBTQ+ people in this sport,” he said. “It is startling that so many fans still witness homophobia, and even more so that Millwall stands alone as the only club to fully integrate an LGBTQ+ team.”
His intervention comes as the research found 81% of LGBTQ+ fans have experienced or witnessed homophobic behaviour in or around football stadiums, reinforcing calls for clubs to move beyond symbolic gestures.
At the centre of the campaign is the Pride Playbook, a practical framework developed by Millwall Romans to help clubs formally integrate and support LGBTQ+ teams. The initiative, backed by the team’s lead sponsor The Romans, will also include a series of billboards and a panel event aimed at bringing together clubs, scouts and community leaders.
Murray said the campaign represents a meaningful step towards structural change. “By calling on top-flight clubs to officially adopt and fund teams, we aren’t just making a statement - Millwall Romans are building a blueprint for a future where every player, at every level, knows they have a permanent home in the game,” he said.
Millwall FC is currently the only club to fully embed an LGBTQ+ team within its structure, with Millwall Romans integrated into the club’s Community Trust alongside Millwall Pride. Despite this, around 70% of LGBTQ+ fans and allies believe several clubs already have similar teams in place, highlighting what campaigners describe as a gap between perception and reality.
Paul Loding, chairman and manager of Millwall Romans, said the case for change is clear. “There is no question that inclusive teams are vital to the future of football. It is important to adopt a culture where players and fans feel a genuine sense of safety and belonging,” he said. “When a club fully integrates an LGBTQ+ team, it sends a powerful message that the game is truly for everyone.”
He added that long-term commitment is essential. “We need this level of commitment across the board to ensure that inclusion isn’t just a one-off event, but a permanent, protected part of the footballing community,” Loding said.
Campaigners also point to a potential financial incentive. Analysis suggests improving LGBTQ+ inclusion could unlock up to £428 million in additional matchday revenue each season, with around 65% of LGBTQ+ adults saying they would be more likely to attend matches if clubs introduced visible initiatives.
Jon Holmes, from Football v Homophobia, said the Pride Playbook provides a route for clubs to translate intent into action. “It offers a clear framework for integrating LGBTQ+ inclusive teams into club structures and creating environments where inclusion is embedded, not occasional,” he said. “Millwall FC has shown how this can be achieved, and now it’s time for other clubs to follow.”
The campaign, supported by The Romans agency, aims to scale the Millwall model across the professional game, with organisers arguing that visibility alone is no longer enough without meaningful structural backing.
More info on Pride Playbook HERE
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