We were proud to highlight our 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 Sunday.

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.

Our 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, BLAGSS run out winners after a tense penalty shootout that went to sudden death. The game finished 1-1 after an hour of action that was full of quality in a 9v9 match. 

Abi Patrick got Sussex back into the game after Tara Barratt opened the scoring for BLAGSS in what was a strong performance from them.

The men’s game was 11v11 and ended in a nine-goal thriller after 90 minutes of fast-paced action. 

After taking a two-goal lead, BLAGSS looked dominant on the counter-attack but Sussex found a way back into the game to make it 2-1 only to see BLAGSS double their lead again before half-time. 

BLAGSS steam-rolled the second half to take a 6-1 lead in what looked to be an afternoon to forget for those representing Sussex. 

Luckily a late surge and two quick-fire goals brought the score to slightly more respectable 6-3 with BLAGSS running out deserved winners in what was a great way to round off Football.v.Homophobia month. 

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Jade Harker Photography)
(Video highlights of the event are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Clifton Forde)

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

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