Bexley Invicta fly the flag for gay-friendly football in Kent

The two teams will compete for the Aslie Pitter MBE Trophy in support of the campaign.

The teams last competed for the trophy in 2011, which resulted in a 3-0 win for Bexley Police.

The re-match will take place on Sunday 15 June (kick-off 12:30pm) at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue and the game is free to watch.

Officers from local police teams will also be there to talk to residents about police work, local crime and any raised concerns.

Acting Sergeant Chris Molnar said: “This is a great opportunity to further establish a strong relationship with Bexley Invicta, as well as a chance for local residents to speak to police. This is a family event, so please come down and support us all.”

Brian Silk, the chairman of Bexley Invicta, said: “This game provides an opportunity for Bexley Invicta to further develop our friendship with the local police.

“Football is a great way to show good relations between the police and local LGBT community.”

Aslie Pitter MBE, who is a British footballer who founded Stonewall Football Club – Britain’s first and most successful gay football club- in 1991.
 
Football versus Homophobia is an international initiative opposing homophobia in football.

In England it is the FA’s endorsed campaign to tackle homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in grassroots football.

Across football in the UK it is the largest specifically designed campaign to tackle issues around homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

Bexley Invicta Football Club is a club that is open to all, regardless of sexuality, ability of experience, who want to play football in a gay-friendly setting.

The club is based in Bexleyheath at Hall Place and football-playing commenced on 15 January 2011 with a kickabout in Danson Park.
 

Mr Silk explained: “Some gay footballers and supporters are not comfortably participating in mainstream football due to the sometimes homophobic atmosphere in the changing rooms and on the pitch and the need to sometimes hide their sexuality.

“Many players and supporters, not necessarily gay, are drawn to gay-friendly football as it is generally less aggressive than mainstream football.

“Others are attracted to the social aspects of gay-friendly football.  A gay-friendly football club, such as Bexley Invicta FC, exists to provide a footballing environment that aims to be non-homophobic, inclusive and enjoyable.

Mr Silk explained that a gay-friendly club is not just for gay people.

“That’s right!,” he said.

“Football clubs such as Bexley Invicta are gay-friendly, not gay-exclusive.  Although it is recognised that the majority of players are likely to be gay, there are many non-gay players playing for gay-friendly teams.”

When asked whether setting up a gay-friendly football club and participating in gay-friendly only leagues and tournaments may be creating a division between gay-friendly football and maintstream football, Mr Silk replied: “Bexley Invicta is interested in working with others to make all football gay-friendly, including mainstream football, so that gay footballers and supporters have an effective choice.

“We play against mainstream teams, including an annual trophy fixture with Bexley Police FC and work with the Kent Football Association.”

The chairman, who says the club welcome all genders, added: “Typically, when two gay-friendly football teams play each other, they will go out together for a night on the town before the game and they will also socialise after the match.

“Tournaments are bigger versions of this, with often a large number of gay-friendly teams taking over venues for the duration of the tournament and for much informal socialising to go on.”

Bexley Invicta finished their last campaign rooted to the foot of the nine-team London Unity League with one win and a draw from their fifteen league games.

Visit Bexley Invicta’s website: www.bexleyinvictafc.com/Bexley_Invicta_FC/Welcome_to_Bexley_Invita_FC.html