LGBTQ+ football supporters’ groups from across the North West of England, including our very own Rainbow Devils, have come together to launch the North West LGBTQ+ Supporters Club Alliance, a regional network designed to increase visibility and inclusion within the game.
As one of the founding members, Rainbow Devils will be a driving force across the alliance which aims to create a collaborative space where groups from different clubs can connect, share best practice, and strengthen support for LGBTQ+ fans across the football pyramid.
Other founding members include Canal Street Blues (Manchester City), Claret & Proud (Burnley FC), Proud Rovers (Blackburn Rovers), and Proud Bluebirds (Barrow AFC).
Rainbow Devils are among the group of supporters clubs to create the North West alliance.
Launched to coincide with Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, the new alliance will provide meaningful regional collaboration, helping clubs to create more inclusive matchdays.
Rainbow Devils is the independent, officially recognised LGBTQ+ Supporter’s Club of Manchester United. Membership has grown considerably over the last few years and now stands at over 2,000 members.
Cass Hyde, co-chair of Rainbow Devils, helped set up the new alliance.
“Every LGBTQ+ supporters club is of a different size, at a different stage in their development, and has a different working relationship with their respective club. Some are well established, while some have just started out. Some have different aims and objectives, and others have different structures and ways of working.
“It’s important for long-standing supporters’ clubs like ours to lead by example. We have a lot of knowledge and advice that we can share with supporters’ clubs just started out or further down the pyramid with fewer resources. By strengthening ties between LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups, we aim to help each group grow and increase LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion across football”
Further information and how to join the Rainbow Devils is available here.