Coventry City, Leeds United and Leicester City land on Football v Homophobia Awards 2025 shortlists

Published by Jon Holmes on

Previous winners Leicester in Pro Game category contention again as FvH Awards 2025 shortlists released; LGBTQ+ fan groups of Rangers, Sheffield United and QPR up for Supporters prize; tickets on sale now for gala ceremony in Glasgow on night of Friday 7 March…

By Jon Holmes

Football v Homophobia Awards 2024
Nick Ransom presents the Alternative Football League’s Beth Barnes and Sabah Ahmad with the Women’s Game Award at the Football v Homophobia Awards 2024 at the National Football Museum in Manchester (image: Gordon Marino)

Excitement is building ahead of the sixth annual Football v Homophobia Awards following the release of the category shortlists.

The unique Awards event recognises achievements in LGBTQ+ inclusion from across the global game.

The 2025 edition, which is being sponsored by the Football Association, will be a celebration of community that follows on from the completion of the FvH campaign’s annual Month of Action in February.

Prizes will be handed out in 12 categories alongside entertainment and festivities as the gala night is held north of the border for the first time, hosted by FvH Scotland at the beautiful Oran Mor venue in Glasgow’s West End on Friday 7 March.

Tickets are on sale now.

Last year’s event saw a special FvH Outstanding Contribution Award made to professional player Zander Murray alongside category winners including Manchester United (Pro Game), Proud Baggies (Supporters Group) and Chelsea Pride co-chair and campaigner Tracy Brown (FvH Hero).

A new addition for 2025 is a category specifically for Community Trusts and Foundations, recognising the important inclusion work they undertake in relation to their clubs and fan groups which benefits a broader demographic of LGBTQ+ people and allies locally.

Register for the FvH Month of Action! See the FvH Champions who have signed up so far here

Here are the shortlists for the FvH Awards 2025…

Professional Game Award, sponsored by EFL

Coventry City; Leeds United; Leicester City

For the third consecutive year, it’s a fresh trio of clubs on the pro category shortlist, reflecting growth and energy around LGBTQ+ inclusion. Coventry have excelled on fan engagement, working closely with Proud Sky Blues on campaigns and activities. Leeds’ impressive internal and community work was highlighted alongside considerable awareness-raising with the wider fanbase. Leicester, winners of this award in 2022, return to the shortlist after a title-winning season that reflected advances in allyship and activities, with first-team players and coaches involved.

Semi-Professional Game Award

Dulwich Hamlet FC; Hampton & Richmond FC; Lincoln United FC

The clubs shortlisted here are all setting an example in the non-league scene, where resources are more limited but the impact can be no less tangible. Dulwich continue to build on their inclusive reputation, featuring prominently at Pride in London and handling challenging incidents on matchday with aplomb. Across the capital, higher-tier Hampton and Richmond harnessed player advocacy as part of its ‘Stand as One’ initiative, while up at Lincoln Utd, a feeling of welcome has been woven into the fabric of the club, demonstrated by a special edition kit and the county’s first-ever LGBTQ+ inclusive team.

Grassroots Clubs Award

Brighton Seagals FC; Saltire Thistle FC; TReNBI FC

Tough work for the judges to trim down what was once again a superbly supported category. They chose to shortlist – Brighton Seagals, back in the mix here again after demonstrating how its new action plan is getting more people active and engaged in the Sussex area; Saltire Thistle, who combined mental health advocacy with charity partnerships while continuing to compete and campaign with determination; and TReNBI FC, described as “a place of pure trans joy” created by a collective of gender-diverse and intersex football-mad folks from in and around Brighton.

Supporters Group Award, with Fans for Diversity

Ibrox Pride; QPR Rainbow Rangers; Rainbow Blades

Once again, this was an incredibly competitive category, reflecting the vigour and passion of LGBTQ+ fans. Ibrox Pride are the first Scottish group to be shortlisted here, having bolstered both numbers and key relationships in a busy year. Their “Rangers” counterparts in west London have been similarly active, with members extolling the sense of community created, such as around the Rainbow Ball, FvH and Rainbow Laces campaigns, on away days, and at special events. Rainbow Blades return here for a third time in a row, having demonstrated reach beyond the terraces through the staging of charity games and tournaments alongside wider regional work.

Football v Homophobia Awards 2024
Attendees at the Football v Homophobia Awards 2024 (image: Gordon Marino)

FvH Cymru Award

Annalise Britton; Jess Fishlock; The Football Association of Wales

For a country of just over 3m people, Wales continues to punch well above its weight on the LGBTQ+ football front. Annalise is not only the manager of Dragons Rock, a 7-a-side team for gender-diverse players within the Cardiff Dragons family, but also a trailblazer for inclusive walking football too. Jess needs little introduction, with her shortlisting a recognition of her role in Wales’ historic Euros qualification combined with her visibility and advocacy work. The FAW amplified the FvH and FvT campaign messages across matches both international and domestic, with the governing body’s ‘PAWB’ programme also receiving acclaim.

English County FA Award, sponsored by The FA

Kent FA; Lincolnshire FA; North Riding FA

There are 50 County FAs across the English game, tasked with promoting inclusion and growth of the game alongside their many governance and regulatory commitments. This year’s shortlist spans the country geographically – Kent continue to add LGBTQ+-specific layers onto their activations; likewise, Lincolnshire are building on strong foundations, which includes back-to-back successes in this category; while North Riding impressed the judges with their ambassador programme and collaboration with local Teesside charity, Hart Gables.

FvH Hero Award, sponsored by The FA

Chris Ledger; Emily Waldron; James Laley

This category recognises gold-standard individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to make football more inclusive. Chris is the founder of Rainbow Owls, the group for Sheffield Wednesday fans who are LGBTQ+ or strong allies; since its launch in June 2023, he has put on events, worked with the Championship club and community programme on activations, and campaigned alongside colleagues from across the fan movement. Emily is a player for TRUK United FC (Grassroots Award winners in 2023) – her enthusiasm and courage belies her youth, and she is inspiring other young trans people to get involved in the game. Having been runner-up last year, James is recognised once again in this category for his leadership on Sheffield United’s Rainbow Blades group and also the Regional Alliance of fan groups – his 2024 resume included organising a charity game at Bramall Lane, delivering education sessions, and media appearances.

Women’s Game Award

Brighton Seagals; Caz Simone; Manchester Laces

At a time of increasing scrutiny on LGBTQ+-inclusive women’s football, this trio are proudly and publicly representing their values. Brighton Seagals are out to reclaim their category title having been runners-up last year, having worked more closely with their pro counterparts at Albion and revitalised their ‘Seapals’ strand for gender-diverse football beginners. Caz Simone’s visibility as a non-binary and minority ethnic player with an accomplished game on and off the field was described as “invaluable” in their nomination. The judges felt Manchester Laces’ unwavering commitment to the ‘Football for Everyone’ mantra was consistently demonstrated, and also admired the progress of their partnerships.

FvH Scotland Award

Camp Hellcats; Glasgow Community Football League; Saltire Thistle

Another all-new slate of contenders here, reflecting the appetite of LGBTQ+ Glaswegians and allies to play and coach the game in a truly welcoming atmosphere. On the southside of the city, Camp Hellcats compete fiercely and give back, supporting women and gender-diverse people to get more active while boosting fundraisers. The success of GCFL, which has grown from eight teams to 20 – and going beyond Glasgow – is a powerful story. Meanwhile, Saltire Thistle’s 15th anniversary year brings a shortlist spot, with powerful personal storytelling and significant community impact reflected at the nominations stage.

International Award, sponsored by Fare

African Pride Games (South Africa); LiGay Nacional de Futbol (Brazil); Noemi Arzate Miranda (Mexico)

Global representation and more first-time appearances on the longlist made for an exciting category for the judges to assess. APG is an LGBTQ+-inclusive tournament held in Johannesburg, organised as part of the work of the Phuti Lekoloane Foundation, named after its founder and chair who was Africa’s first out gay pro footballer. Brazil’s LiGay is also a community-changing social project that stretches beyond its teams competing, of which there are over 80 made up of around 5,000 players. From Mexico City, Noemi is a co-founder of the multisport event Copa LGBT and has spearheaded Seleccion Mexico Trans, the first-ever national team of trans players which continues to grow having competed at the Gay Games.

Football Media Award, sponsored by the Football Writers’ Association

Emma Smith; Jack Murley; Outsports

A broad range of media skills and talents featured on the longlist, with an independent assessment by the judges whittling the contenders down. Emma Smith’s coverage across multiple platforms included stories on Sutton United FC boss Lucy Clark and Rainbow Laces, taking her voice and visibility as an out trans woman in the industry beyond BBC Sport digital platforms. Jack Murley was praised for the variety and consistent quality of his ‘Sports Show’ podcast, in which LGBTQ+ football conversations from across all levels of the game are frequently produced and amplified on social media. Outsports, a dedicated LGBTQ+ news and commentary source for 25 years which continues to broaden its soccer coverage, completes the shortlist.

Community Trust or Foundation Award

Sheffield United Community Foundation; Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme; Stockport County Community Trust

A new category for 2025, the significant contributions made by this trio of entrants stood out to the judges. Sessions in local schools and hate crime awareness initiatives formed part of Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme’s LGBTQ+ inclusion work, while across the Steel City, their counterparts at United were similarly commended for getting young LGBTQ+ people active through bespoke project “Empower LGBT+”. In both instances, the respective fan groups Rainbow Owls and Rainbow Blades were key partners. At Stockport, the League One club’s Community Trust has been running County Pride football sessions and working with local group Forward LGBT+ to increase participation and improve engagement with LGBTQ+ people in the area.

The Football v Homophobia Awards 2024, ready to be handed out (image: Gordon Marino)

FvH Awards Roll of Honour

Professional Game Award

2024: Manchester United FC; Arsenal FC; Exeter City FC

2023: Sheffield United FC; Chelsea FC; Watford FC

2022: Leicester City FC; Tottenham Hotspur FC; Sheffield United FC

2021: Charlton Athletic FC; Liverpool FC; Sheffield United FC

2020: Tottenham Hotspur FC; Charlton Athletic FC; AFC Bournemouth

Semi-Professional Game Award (was Non-League Club)

2024: Chesterfield FC; Dulwich Hamlet FC; York City FC

2023: Concord Rangers FC; Dulwich Hamlet FC; Harrogate Railway Athletic FC

2022: Dulwich Hamlet FC; Sheppey United FC; Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC

2021: Wrexham AFC

2020: Met Police FC; Whitehawk FC; Frickley Athletic FC

Grassroots Clubs Award

2024: Stargazy FC; Glasgow Saints; Brighton Seagals

2023: TRUK United FC; Camden Bells FC; Camp Hellcats

2022: Manchester Laces FC; Nottingham Lions FC; St John’s Deaf FC

2021: Charlton Invicta FC; Village Manchester FC; Deeside Dragons Girls FC

2020: Charlton Invicta FC; London Titans FC; New Milton Town Ladies FC

Supporters Group Award

2024: Proud Baggies; GayGooners; Rainbow Blades

2023: Proud Lilywhites; Rainbow Blades; Proud Grecians

2022: Foxes Pride; Proud Lilywhites; Proud Baggies

2021: Proud Baggies; Rainbow Blades; Proud Lilywhites

2020: Proud Baggies; Proud Lilywhites; Marching Out Together

FvH Cymru Award

2024: Cardiff Dragons FC; Conwy Borough FC; Brandon Gregory

2023: Brandon Gregory; The Rainbow Wall; Cardiff Dragons FC

2022: FC Bellevue; FC United of Wrexham

2021: Not awarded

2020: Conwy Borough FC; FC Bellevue

English County FA Award

2024: Lincolnshire FA; Norfolk County FA; Staffordshire FA

2023: Lincolnshire FA; Cheshire FA; London FA

2022: Sussex County FA; Cheshire FA; Herefordshire FA

2021: Manchester FA; Surrey County FA; Royal Air Force FA

FvH Hero Award

2024: Tracy Brown; James Laley; Eric Najib

2023: Charlotte Galloway; Hannah Thornley; Zack Leader

2022: Hayley Wood-Thompson; Carys Ingram; Adam Crafton

2021: Rob Harris; Sinead O’Rourke; Gary Ginnaw

2020: Chris Paouros; Alan Quick; Rob Harris

Women’s Game Award

2024: Alternative Football League; Brighton Seagals; Jasmine Angove

2023: Brighton Seagals; Sheffield United Women; Helen Hardy 

2022: Stonewall W&NB Team; Helen Hardy; Brighton Seagals

2021: Beth Fisher and Anita Asante; Goal Diggers FC; Jess Creighton

FvH Scotland Award

2024: Gender Goals; Ronnie Charters; Ibrox Pride

2023: Lloyd Wilson; Zander Murray; Andrew Henderson 

International Award

2024: John Blankenstein Foundation (Netherlands); Paris Arc-en-Ciel (France); Union Omaha (USA)

2023: Sportif Lezbon (Turkey); BK Vestia (Denmark); League of Tolerance (Ukraine)

2022: Ligue de Football Professionnel (France); Sport for Tolerance (Cameroon); AJ Auxerre (France)

Football Media Award

2024: Jacob Leeks (Mirror Sport); Ronnie Charters (STV Sport); Emma Smith (BBC Sport)

2023: Jacob Leeks (Mirror Sport); Jon Holmes (Sports Media LGBT+); Poletti (The Inner Sanctum)

Outstanding Contribution Award

2024: Zander Murray

2023: Jake Daniels


Read about the 2024 Awards event here and check out Outsports’ recent feature about Union Omaha, who were shortlisted in the International category last year.

Football v Homophobia is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels of football.

Launched in 2010, Football v Homophobia runs an annual Month of Action, which takes place in February during LGBT+ History Month.

The Month of Action calls on individuals and organisations at all levels of football to take meaningful action to create more LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces in the game and address all forms of discrimination.


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