Stonewall FC embarked on an exceptional challenge in Latin America, travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico in November for the Guadalajara Gay Games 2023. Their goal? To win a fifth Gay Games title and become the first team in the world to win the Football 11’s gold for a fifth time.
With temperatures upwards of 30 degrees and an altitude of 1,500m, teams braced themselves for some of their toughest conditions yet: a gruelling schedule of nine games in five days to reach the final.
Manager Eric Najib led a unique squad, made up of players from across the club: the 1st team; the development squad; and included players who had started in Stonewall’s Unity Team.
Despite the conditions the team got off to a blistering pace in the group stages winning all their games bar their final game, which was a 2-2 draw against Kraken Deportivo (Mexico).
The team entered the final day with the load of the conditions and game time being a challenge, but knew that two more wins would seal their fifth gold medal. Stonewall FC played Lobos of Mexico in the semi, which was a repeat of one of their toughest group games. They managed to seal a tight 2-1 victory against a gritty, tough and well-supported Lobos team that pushed them to the final whistle.
Seattle was their opponent in the final who finished second in the group stages and on paper their toughest opposition. Stonewall FC had convincingly beaten them in the group stages, however it was a different proposition in the final.
Stonewall FC started the game the stronger taking the lead fairly early on in the game but Seattle fought back to make it 1-1 before the break.
In the second half, however, it was a different proposition with Stonewall FC, despite the fatigue, asserting their control and dominance for long periods without scoring. It was only a matter of time before they did just that and were rewarded with a goal from a corner, breaking the deadlock. Stonewall FC continued to push on and were rewarded with a penalty after some great play down the wings. The penalty was dispatched, and the team went into the final waning moments of the game 3-1 ahead and heavily in control with Seattle seemingly running out of steam.
Despite Seattle starting to tire, they did manage to get a consolation goal which made the last few minutes interesting, however Stonewall FC held firm and ran out 3-2 winners sealing the gold in what was an epic final day of football for the club.
Stonewall FC manager Eric Najib remarked: “I am proud of my players for the way they adjusted to the challenges of playing in altitude to produce such consistent performances over the whole week and to bring back our fifth Gay Games gold medal against tough opposition. I want to thank all the people of Guadalajara for being so welcoming and it was an honour to lead a Stonewall FC squad in a Gay Games in Latin America.”
Alex Baker, Stonewall FC Chair who was heavily involved with the squad out in Mexico, added: “The whole club is proud of the achievement of our Lions squad in Mexico, and in the way they represented the club and the country on the international stage. The tournament was a great advertisement for a different type of football; one where participants have the freedom to enjoy the game as their true selves.”
This tournament was another string to the historic tapestry of success that the club has had on the international stage. Each tour is special and Guadalajara will be remembered for being just that, special.
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