Shoppers of change are organising in stadiums and online; supporters are turning their matchday passion into safe spaces. The Football Supporters’ Association and Pride in Football have released a free LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Group Toolkit to help fans at any level set up or grow groups, run events and push for inclusion across the game.

Essential Takeaways

  • Free and practical: The toolkit is available to download from Pride in Football and offers step-by-step advice, not a strict manual.
  • Covers everything: Guidance includes meetings with clubs, branding, social media, matchday events and fundraising.
  • Real examples: Case studies from groups like Rainbow Devils, Rainbow Blades and Pride of Irons show how other clubs did it.
  • Trans inclusion and governance: The guide addresses trans inclusion, governance, partnerships and media guidance.
  • Built by fans: Created by a volunteer working group with support from the FSA’s Fans for Diversity campaign and Kick It Out.

Why this toolkit matters: fans turning goodwill into structures

There’s a warm, practical energy behind this toolkit, it's built by supporters who’ve already done the hard work and want to make that easier for others. According to the Football Supporters’ Association, more than 50 active LGBTQ+ groups now support clubs across England, Scotland and Wales, and this guide captures that momentum. If you’ve ever felt hesitant about starting a group, the guide’s “toolbox” approach is reassuring: it offers templates and ideas while letting you shape things to your club and community.

What’s inside: the nuts and bolts you’ll actually use

Expect concrete how-tos on meetings with your club, creating logos, building a social media presence and attracting members. The toolkit also covers matchday planning, how to run safe, visible events, and joining wider campaigns such as Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action or Premier League With Pride. For many volunteers the tricky bits are funding and governance; the guide includes grant advice, ambassador roles and media pointers so groups don’t reinvent the wheel.

Real groups, real lessons: learn from Rainbow Devils and others

Case studies make the toolkit sing. Groups like Rainbow Devils (Manchester United), Rainbow Blades (Sheffield United), Proud Lilywhites (Tottenham Hotspur) and Pride of Irons (West Ham United) share what worked and what didn’t. That makes the advice feel lived-in rather than theoretical. If you want a quick win, look at how these groups ran their first matchday meet-ups or partnered locally to build membership, replicable tactics that don’t need a big budget.

Inclusion beyond flags: trans rights and respectful practice

The toolkit doesn’t shy away from thorny issues; it explicitly addresses promoting trans inclusion and broader inclusive practices. That’s important as clubs and campaigns increasingly make public commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including initiatives like Premier League With Pride. Practical tips on language, safety policies and signposting to support services help groups create genuinely welcoming spaces rather than token gestures.

Getting started: simple steps to launch your own group

Start small: find a handful of committed supporters, book an initial meeting, and download a few template documents from the Pride in Football toolbox. Reach out to your club’s community or inclusion officer early, clubs often welcome organised fan groups and can offer meeting space or promotion. Use matchdays as a focus for visibility and recruitment, but also plan social activities to keep members connected between fixtures.

It's a small change that can make every matchday feel more inclusive.

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