Gay Football Supporters Network reflects on 'biggest year yet'
The UK and Ireland’s leading LGBTQ+ football league says they are continuing to grow - as they foster a safe space for anyone to play
Last updated 18 hours ago
It's been another bumper season for the Gay Football Supporters Network - as it celebrates a landmark year.
Read more: 'A celebration of the sport': St George's Park hosts historic inclusive football Quarter Finals
For 2025/6, the GFSN say even more players and clubs are involved with the league than ever, as they welcomed teams from across the UK and Irelend.
This all comes as they've just hosted their Summer Tournament - filled with 48 teams and 368 participants - in Manchester, with many of those heading to Valencia later this month for the Gay Games.
That's not all, as we're edging closer to a landmark anniversary, with 2027 being 25 years since the first GFSN league game.
It's the only league of its kind in the world, and the network's Chair, Paul Williams, has been catching up with Hits Radio Pride - now the Cup Final has been played and the final whistle has been blown.
He said: "Wow, it feels like so much has happened in the last year, doesn't it!
"It has been challenging for many reasons, in terms of the wider context of accessibility of LGBT+ players in the sport, but at the GFSN, we've welcomed new teams, and new players, and is just shows that the demand for inclusive sport is there - and it's growing.
"One of our big focuses this year has been responding to the level of demand we're seeing.
"For example, we introduced our Development League, which enabled even more sides to get involved with us, and that's been great to see.
"And it's being shown through who's getting involved, that we are just continuing with that upward trajectory.
"It's not just those more traditional teams from larger cities taking part in our league any more, which is just incredible - it's teams from all over the country."
The group continues to emphasise the importance of inclusivity in football, particularly following last year's Supreme Court ruling on gender - and more recently, the rules from organisations including the FA, on allowing transgender players in the professional game.
Where the GFSN comes in is through their mission of developing an inclusive, competitive, game, whilst also championing activism.
You can read more about that ruling here: Campaigners respond to FA's ban on transgender women from the female game
As Paul has been telling us, they're there to make everyone feel welcome.
He told us: "The best thing that we can do as a league is to show the benefits of inclusive football, and be that place where everyone can join, and everyone can be together.
"Football should not be about gender - it should be about every person wanting to play, and everybody feeling included.
"To me, I feel like what's been put in place in the past year or so has been quite reactionary, so all we can do is lobby on behalf of our members, provide those safe spaces, and do what we can to show a community spirit.
"The best we can really do is be there for our members, and to tell people there are still spaces for them to come and enjoy the sport.
"We're seeing an increased appetite for those wanting to get involved with football, and if the Supreme Court ruling has done anything, it's got people talking about inclusivity within the game, and given organisations like ours a platform to share the work we're doing.
"There's so much good work that goes in with that, and many of us in the organisation are volunteers, working together to make sure these spaces are available for anyone to come and play the sport we love so much."
Looking ahead
And does it all just stop for the GFSN now the season is over?
As Paul describes, the answer is clearly a resounding 'no'!
He said: "Everybody thinks that, as we're at the end of the season, we all have a bit of a rest - but that's kind of the opposite for the GFSN.
"Now, we're looking at how the format is going to look next year, especially with that increase we're seeing of clubs looking to join us.
"We're also looking to formalise our GFSN Development League too, which is a great opportunity to take on players who've not traditionally played football, but they still want to get involved.
"Right now, for us, it's a real opportunity to reflect the diversity of footballing ability and those who want to play."