Cup clash backing anti-homophobia campaign

Dulwich Hamlet will be backing this weekend’s nationwide campaign to end homophobia in football when they kick off in the FA Cup.

The Ryman Premier club became the first in Non-League football to announce they were supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign this week by lacing up their boots with rainbow-coloured laces as part of the charity’s anti-homophobia in football initiative.

Now in its second year, this year’s event is expected to be supported by many more clubs after being backed by the Football Association, the Premier League and a number of high-profile sponsors.

Officials at the south London club say players and staff will wear the laces for their FA Cup tie against Worthing FC at Champion Hill on Saturday to demonstrate their support for a campaign which last year saw players from 52 clubs lace up for the cause.

Duncan Hart, head of communications with the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust, is delighted that manager Gavin Rose and his players and staff are supporting the cause.

He said: "It’s really great that Gavin and the team are backing the campaign and have agreed to support the campaign by wearing the laces on Saturday for our FA Cup game. We are sure that they will carry this message throughout the season, and continue to hold up the good name of Dulwich Hamlet around the country.

"The Rabble are a welcoming bunch and by doing our bit, we can change the game and make it a more welcoming place for LGBT players and supporters."

Dulwich Hamlet committee member Mishi Morath added: "This is a great initiative from our Supporters Trust. We shall be building on this later in the season, working hand in hand with them, showcasing more anti-homophobia initiatives later in the current campaign and letting people know that anyone is welcome at Champion Hill, regardless of sexuality, gender or race."

Stonewall, the biggest charity in Europe campaigning for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality, and the Gay Football Supporters' Network, the national membership organisation of LGBT football fans, say that despite raising awareness of the issue of homophobia in the game, there are still no openly gay or bi professional players and homophobia on the terraces is still rife.

Supporters can show their support via social media using the official campaign hashtag #rainbowlaces and #dhfc.

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