Football.v.Homophobia

Sussex football unites against homophobia

Friendly fixtures in support of FvH month

The Sussex County FA highlighted its support for the Football.v.Homophobia (FvH) month of action with two friendly matches, sponsored by Premier Sports, against Brighton Lesbian and Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS) on Friday and Sunday evening.

FvH is a campaign uniting fans, players, communities, grassroots teams, professional clubs and the football authorities in opposing homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people in football.

Sussex County FA squads made up of staff, county members and sponsors took on the BLAGSS teams in female and male games, to highlight ‘Football For All’ and celebrate BLAGSS affiliation to the County FA.

BLAGSS is a sports and social group that now has around four hundred and fifty lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender members from across Brighton and Hove, Sussex and beyond.

Their aim is to encourage LGBT+ people to play sport. It’s as simple as that. Sport is so important because health and fitness is such a vital part of our lives.

The matches themselves were both competitive encounters played in the true spirit of the occasions, with a win for each team - but the real winner was football and the FvH campaign!

In the women’s game on Friday night the first twenty minutes were frantic, with chances at both ends and each goalkeeper making some fine saves. Sussex did manage to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark and finished the game strongly, eventually running out 6-0 winners.

Sussex County FA team
HIGHLIGHTS - Sussex County FA vs. BLAGSS women
Watch full highlights of the Football.v.Homophobia Friendly between Sussex County FA and BLAGSS women.

On Sunday night BLAGSS men were the visitors to Culver Road, and they were quick to assert their dominance on the fixture, with lots of the early running and possession. They raced into an early lead, and despite Sussex’s best efforts in the second-half, BLAGSS prevailed as 3-0 victors.

BLAGSS team
HIGHLIGHTS - Sussex County FA Vs. BLAGSS men
Watch full highlights of the Football.v.Homophobia Friendly between Sussex County FA and BLAGSS men.

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Kyle Hemsley Photography)
(Video highlights are available above and also on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

For further information about the Football.v.Homophobia campaign please contact FvH:

Football.v.Homophobia
E: info@footballvhomophobia.com