2019 marks 30th birthday of Gay Football Supporters’ Network, whose annual Summer Get Together tournament will be held in Liverpool on 14-16 June
Mersey Marauders FC are inviting journalists and media organisations interested in their ‘Magnificent 7s’ event in Liverpool to get in touch.
The football tournament itself is being held at Heron Eccles playing fields in Allerton on Saturday 15 June, with ‘Get Together’ festivities on the Friday (tournament draw at The Lisbon Bar in Stanley Street) and Saturday evenings (awards and celebrations), with the Gay Football Supporters’ Network (GFSN) Annual General Meeting taking place on Sunday 16th.
GFSN was established back in 1989 and now runs a national league while also campaigning to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in football.
The annual Summer Get Together tournament brings together LGBT+-inclusive clubs from across the UK and Ireland, and was last held in Liverpool in 2008. The 2018 event was hosted – and won – by Newcastle Panthers FC.
For 2019, Mersey Marauders have partnered with Liverpool County Football Association to deliver a day of 7-a-side football at one of the city’s new football hubs.
Ed Connell, GFSN chairman, said: “As we all work together to make football a discrimination-free environment, it’s fitting that we celebrate our 30th anniversary in a city with which such an amazing footballing heritage and hosted by the Marauders, who embody our principles of inclusiveness and friendship.”
Marauders chairman Paul Williams said: “We’re very much looking forward to hosting this year’s Summer Get Together and the opportunity to highlight and promote the excellent work of the GFSN and its members over the past 30 years.
“A key factor in making this event a true celebration of the GFSN is to involve those organisations and individuals that represent and support players by promoting inclusivity and tackling homophobia.
“We’re proud to have a County FA and city region where equality and diversity are at the heart of its values as we work towards inclusivity at all levels of the game.”
Liverpool County FA Football Development Officer Steve Swinnerton said: “We’re delighted to be involved with Mersey Marauders hosting the GFSN Summer Tournament through our inclusion work, and this event will show that football is for all.
“We look forward to a great day of football in our city at Heron Eccles playing fields, one of the excellent new Parklife facilities, and hopefully everyone involved will enjoy a fabulous football tournament.”
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has welcomed the return of the GFSN Summer Get Together to the city region, adding: “Football has always brought people together and I applaud the work of GFSN in tackling prejudice and helping create an inclusive environment in which everyone can enjoy football.
“I’m very proud that Mersey Marauders have brought this tournament back to our city region and I’m sure that they and Liverpool County FA will make it a real success.”
For more information on the ‘Magnificent 7s’ tournament, see the full press release here. You can also register your attendance on the Facebook event.
To explore media opportunities, get in touch with the Marauders at info@merseymaraudersfc.co.uk, or call club secretary David Johnson on 07808 154134.