North West LGBTQ+ football supporters launch new regional alliance to boost inclusion and visibility

LGBTQ+ football supporters’ groups from across the North West of England have come together to launch the North West LGBTQ+ Supporters Club Alliance, a new regional network designed to increase LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion within the game.

Supporters clubs from the Premier League to League Two have united to form the alliance, creating a collaborative space where groups can connect, share best practice, and strengthen support for LGBTQ+ fans across the football pyramid.

The founding members of the alliance include Canal Street Blues (Manchester City), Claret & Proud (Burnley FC), Rainbow Devils (Manchester United), Proud Rovers (Blackburn Rovers) and Proud Bluebirds (Barrow AFC).

Chris Lofthouse, chair of Proud Rovers, first came up with the idea of the new alliance. "Supporters clubs like Proud Rovers help countless LGBTQ+ fans feel safe to attend football grounds as their whole selves and find the confidence to attend matchdays with other like-minded people. We bring those fans, who may have felt unconnected from their football clubs, together with a greater feeling of reconnection.

"It can be very challenging at times to run an LGBTQ+ football supporters group. Not only can it open you up to hate, but we are all volunteers who do this in our own time."

Cass Hyde, co-chair of Rainbow Devils, also helped set up the new alliance. "Every LGBTQ+ supporters club is of a different size, at a different stage in their development, and has a different working relationship with their respective club. Some are well established, while some have just started out. Some have different aims and objectives, and others have different structures and ways of working.

"It’s important for long-standing supporters clubs like ours to lead by example. We have a lot of knowledge and advice that we can share with supporters clubs just started out or further down the pyramid with fewer resources. By strengthening ties between LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups, we aim to help each group grow and increase LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion across football."

Launched to coincide Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, the new alliance is designed to complement the national work of the Pride in Football network and the Football Supporters’ Association LGBTQ+ Hub, while providing the benefits of regional collaboration.

"LGBTQ+ fan groups from across the region are more than welcome to get involved, whether they are well-established or newly formed," Cass Hyde said.

"By working together, we aim to help create a game where everyone can attend, support their club, and be themselves, safely, visibly, and with pride."