Hyde FC have become the first Blue Square Bet North football club to officially sign up to the government charter against homophobia and transphobia in sport.
The Tigers pride themselves on being a community club and welcomed Lindsay England from football’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender campaigning organisation Just a Ball Game? as a guest for the 4 – 1 win against Eastwood Town on Monday night.
Manager Gary Lowe and defender Gianluca Havern were more than happy to add a signature to the charter committing the club to challenging homophobia and taking a zero tolerance approach to any anti-gay abuse or chanting within the game.
The club have also stated they will look at hosting a celebrity match or training session and invite LGBT players to attend to help celebrate LGBT history month in February next year.
Until stepping down early this year, former Hyde FC Julie Whitehead was the only “out” lesbian involved in the semi-professional game in a senior managerial role, showing that the Tigers are one of the most inclusive teams in the country.
