Campaigners calling for big crowd to come out

Dulwich Hamlet's backing for the campaign to kick homophobia and discrimination out of football continues at Champion Hill on Saturday when they host the Metropolitan Police in the Ryman League's top flight.

To support February's Football v Homophobia Month of Action, the Ryman Premier club's officials are hoping that LGBT and LGBT-friendly fans will take full advantage of an offer of free entry to turn out in force at the third versus sixth clash.

Hamlet earned national headlines earlier this month when Gavin Rose's side took on Stonewall FC, the gay community's world champions, to support the campaign. Back in September they also became the first club in Non-League to announce that they were taking part in Stonewall's 'Rainbow Laces' campaign by lacing up their boots with coloured laces for their FA Cup clash against Worthing.

Hamlet's efforts - supported and driven by the club's officials and members of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust (DHST) - have also seen the unveiling of a new anti-discrimination banner at Champion Hill in January to reinforce their commitment to challenging prejudice after they received a grant from FARE, the European-wide anti-discrimination network.

A club spokesman said: "If anyone from the LGBT community would like to have free vouchers for the game tomorrow, to use for themselves and friends, regardless of personal sexuality, then just send an email to Dulwich Hamlet Committee member Mishi Morath, to his own email address - therabblers@yahoo.co.uk - and he will reply to you, with them to print off.

"The only thing we politely ask you to respect is that this is a promotion to attract new fans to our matches, so if you are already a Dulwich Hamlet supporter please kindly do not avail yourself of this offer.

"We are also pleased to extend a warm welcome to any branch members from Southwark UNISON, who we have also supplied with vouchers for the match. Our local branch of that trade union, of which quite a few of our fans are members, were one of the co-sponsors of the Stonewall game."

Stonewall are the biggest charity in Europe campaigning for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality and their team continues to break down barriers by competing in Division One of the Middlesex County League.

Image courtesy of www.brixtonbuzz.com

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