GIVING HATE THE BOOT

Exeter City Football Club will once again stand up against homophobia in its match against Crawley Town on Saturday 29th February at St. James Park. This will be the 11th Exeter City home game to be designated their annual Football v Homophobia fixture, and kicks off a number of LGBT+ initiatives to mark the occasion, organised by the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust and its One Game One Community (OGOC) Group.

The warm-up will see players from both teams wearing Football v Homophobia T-shirts, which will then be tossed into the crowds. Afterwards, players will walk out and line up behind the Football v Homophobia banner. A guard of honour will be formed by Isca Apollo Football Club, which is the LGBT+ inclusive team. Isca Apollo was previously inducted as Exeter City FC’s community supported team at their last Football v Homophobia match earlier this month.

Before the game kicks off, volunteers will hand out flyers, and there will be the chance to view an Exeter City FC Museum exhibition featuring a display about the late Justin Fashanu. After years at the top, Justin came out as gay in the 1990, while still pursuing a footballing career. He was the first English professional player to do so and the resultant homophobia cost him his life. Justin once played for Torquay United in a match at Exeter’s ground, making this public display of support for LGBT+ people all the more pertinent. Volunteers from Exeter Pride and Exeter City FC’s OGOC (Kick it Out) Group will stand alongside members of Proud Grecians (Exeter City FC’s LGTB+ allies and supporters group), Isca Apollo and local individuals for a group photo with a giant Football v Homophobia flag.

Alan Quick (Supporter’s Trust, OGOC Group member, local co-ordinator for Football v Homophobia and co-founder of Exeter Pride) stated: “Homophobia, like all discrimination, has no place in football. It’s time to call full time on hate. Exeter City has a great record on opposing homophobia, and two years ago the club was recognised with an award for its long-term commitment.”

Lou Englefield, director of the national Football v Homophobia campaign, presented the group with a commemorative pennant.

Quick went on to say: “The group and club have a proud record of making sure football is welcoming for all.”

Exeter City’s OGOC Group works alongside the national Kick it Out campaign, addressing all types of discrimination within the game including race, disability, gender, age, and sexual orientation.

Quick added: “Prejudice and discrimination in football affects us all. My late friend Justin Fashanu suffered from racism, bullying and hostility after his sexual orientation became public, but so too have heterosexual footballers such as Graeme Le Saul and Sol Campbell. LGBT people are everywhere. Sons, daughters, mums, dads, aunties and uncles could be LGBT, they’re in all walks of life. They are receptionists, doctors, bus drivers, physios, and yes, even footballers. Remember, doing nothing only allows discrimination to get worse.”

If you witness any hate-fuelled behaviour during a game – for instance, anti-gay chanting or prejudiced language – there are a wide range of options for you to play your part in kicking it out. Inform a nearby steward, the police, a club official or contact the FA by telephone, 0800 085 0508, or email: footballforall@TheFA.com.

You can also report via the Kick it Out mobile app (free to download) or the Kick it Out website: or email at: info@kickitout.org, or telephone on 0800 169 9414.

Alternatively, report any incidents via Facebook/KickitOutOfficial or Twitter @KickitOut.

You can follow FVH on Facebook or Twitter: @FvHtweets or visit the Football V Homophobia website