This weekend, Altrincham FC will take to the field against Bradford (Park Avenue) at the J.Davidson Stadium in a kit based on the LGBT Pride flag in support of football’s fight against homophobia.
The pioneering initiative marks Altrincham out as the first club to demonstrate their support of the Football v Homophobia campaign in such a public and unequivocal way. Director Bill Waterson said: “We believe it will be the first time anywhere in the world that a senior football club has worn a kit solely modelled on the LGBT Pride Flag, and Altrincham will, therefore, be creating a small moment of football history.”
The move has been universally applauded, with an image of the rainbow shirt – emblazoned with the vibrant pink and black logo of the Football v Homophobia campaign – going viral via social media. Demand for the shirt has stretched across the globe too, with sales being shipped to mainland Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania.
But shirt sales are not what’s important here, with a greater message being supported. The FvH Campaign is celebrating its 10th anniversary year, and what a way for it to be celebrated. Following Altrincham’s match, the shirts will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to LGBT youth organisation The Proud Trust. Life is for all, and it's good to see football being used as a powerful tool to help people to understand that. Superb work, chaps.
The Altrincham LGBT Rainbow Shirt is available from altrinchamfconlineshop.co.uk
