Mersey Marauders FC will this Sunday be taking on the LFC Foundation in a football match to raise awareness for the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Hosted at the home of AFC Marine, the Marine Travel Arena, the match will kick-off at 3:20pm. One hour prior to this, there will also be seven aside football featuring Inclusion Plus FC.
Rainbow Laces season kicks off between October 19-31 this year and aims to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion within sport through the wearing of rainbow captain armbands and shoelaces.
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Mersey Marauders are one club fully supporting of the above campaign, with one of their primary aims being to 'create an environment where all LGBT+ people feel safe, included and valued so they can enjoy playing the sport that they love'.
Explaining why a special fixture has been arranged this Sunday in partnership with Liverpool FC, chair of Mersey Marauders FC, Francis Wight said: "We are delighted to be taking part in a special friendly game against our friends at LFC Foundation to celebrate Rainbow Laces month. We’re supporters of the Rainbow Laces campaign as it is a simple, visible way of expressing support for the LGBT+ community.
"Many football players and fans feel like they can’t express their identity on the pitch or in the stands. The Rainbow Laces campaign helps to show that LGBT+ fans and players are welcome in the game. Visibility is the start of a journey of LGBT+ inclusion in football, and the Rainbow Laces campaign helps to provide this. The game will be made extra special as it is hosted by our friends at Marine AFC in Crosby. All friends, family and supporters are welcome along to show your support for inclusive football."
Inclusion manager for the LFC Foundation, Matthew Murphy added: "LFC Foundation is fully supportive of the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign, and it is fantastic to be able to show this with our LFC Foundation staff and a few familiar LFC faces playing against Mersey Marauders at the Marine Travel Arena.
"Hopefully, the game taking place shows the best of football and the power that it has to unite all in celebration and education of LGBT+ allyship, the importance of support and changing perceptions. Football is a sport for all, and Sunday’s events best represents that.
"We hope everyone will enjoy the game and uses the event as an opportunity to socialise, ask questions and support the Rainbow Laces campaign. Whether supporting Mersey Marauders or LFC Foundation, we hope that, regardless of the result, all who attend go away with a positive message which can be spread."
Should you wish to donate to Mersey Marauders' cause of supporting LGBTQ+ football growth in the city, please click here.
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