Charlton Athletic to host first ever Football v Homophobia weekend
EFDN Member Charlton Atheletic has run a Football v Homophobia-themed matchday in each of the last five seasons and this season, and for the first time Chartlon Athletic Women will also host a themed matchday on the same weekend as part of Football v Homophobia’s month of action. Charlton Athletic men’s team will host AFC Wimbledon at The Valley on Saturday, February 5th, while Charlton Athletic women’s team will host a dedicated matchday at the Oakwood against Watford on Sunday, February 6th.
The themed matchdays will be run in conjunction with the club’s LGBTQI+ supporters group, the Proud Valiants.
Co-Chair and Founder of Proud Valiants, Rob Harris explains said: “Such a high profile event at our club, shows it’s ongoing commitment to making Charlton a place to visit and feel safe. Many clubs will take part in Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, however few, if any are on the scale of Charlton.” He continued: “The commitment from the club, the community trust and Charlton Invicta gives the Proud Valiants the strength to plan an amazing event as together we acknowledge hate in the game still prevails and together we will continue to fight homophobia, Transphobia and all hate crimes with passion and dedication. As always we are proud to be the first club to announce our date for 2022.”
Charlton Athletic were proud to host the launch of last year’s Football v Homophobia month of action, with a live show from The Valley following a week of events hosted by the Proud Valiants with the support Charlton Invicta. The launch week and event was a success, despite restrictions meaning it all had to be done from home, so we the Proud Valiants are excited to get back to being in front of fans at The Valley and the Oakwood for this year’s dedicated matchday. Campaign Director of Football v Homophobia, Lou Englefield, said: “The support from Charlton Athletic and the Proud Valiants for Football v Homophobia is always superb. The Valley is a ground where we’ve felt continuously welcome and we are delighted that the Month of Action has a place in the annual Charlton Athletic inclusion calendar.”
The club was honoured last year with a hat-trick of accolades at the FvH awards 2021; The club being crowed Professional Club of the Year, Rob Harris receiving the Hero Award and the Community Trust’s Charlton Invicta winning the Grassroots Club of the Year for the second year running. Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, at Charlton Athletic and the Community Trust, Dr Michael Seeraj, explained: “The importance of the Charlton LGBTQ+ themed match cannot be underestimated. It helps raise awareness and understanding, and demonstrates Charlton’s proud history and ongoing commitment to tackling discrimination.
“Working closely with LGBTQ+ supporters group, the Proud Valiants, I know how much work and effort goes into planning this important day. As well as the drive and commitment from impressive Chair, Rob – who was recognised this year at the Football v Homophobia Awards 2021, deservedly receiving the ‘Hero Award’.”
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