June is an important date in the calendar of many; it signals the month-long celebration of diversity and inclusivity. As an organisation, we celebrate diversity all-year round. It’s something that makes us stronger as an organisation.
In honour of Pride Month, we took the time to speak with our Marketing Executive, Zak Dixon, who shared his story on
the importance of challenging stereotypes, creating inclusive environments, and his favourite past-time, Football!
Thursday, 1 June, was the start of Pride Month, a month-long celebration and observance of LGBTQ+ history, culture and achievements which was officially initiated in the early 2000s. It is a month that gives us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in society dating back to the first Gay Pride Liberation March in 1970.
“Sadly, football has a deep-rooted history with homophobia. Many LGBTQ+ people have witnessed or experienced abuse first hand, whether in the stands, dressing room or even the school playground. This hostility and lack of representation at an elite level has excluded many LGBTQ+ people from playing football,” Zak shares, a proud member of a football team that provides a supportive and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
“In 2005, the Mersey Marauders were formed to provide an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and allies to play 11-a-side football in the Liver
pool City Region. Recognising that Sunday League football can be an intimidating, and in some cases homophobic/transphobic, environment, they ensure any fixtures they play are with teams who share their values,” he tells us.
Zak’s Story
“I joined the Mersey Marauders a couple of years ago and learned that it’s more than a football team, there’s a social side too – from after game drinks at The Lisbon bar, to mini golf, Eurovision parties, meals out, pride celebrations and much more. Many of our players were new to the region when t
hey joined and have built social connections in the area and within the LGBTQ+ community,” he tells us.
And to top it all off; Zak’s team have just won their league too!
“The league we play in is run by the GFSN (Gay Football Supporters Network). They provide the means and facilities to put LGBTQ+ supporters in touch with each other and to meet for social purposes. This season took the Marauders to away games in Brighton, London, Manchester, and Cardiff. We started off with a 7-2 win away to Manchester and finished the league by beating second place Hotscots with a last kick of the game penalty, which meant we won 8/8 games, promotion, and the league title.”
Zak tells us that he finished with 5 goals and 9 assists, scoring the winning goal in our matches against East End Phoenix and Brighton, which they won 2-1 and 1-0, respectively.
And the successes kept on coming.
GFSN Shield – The GFSN shield
Mersey Marauders also won the GFSN shield, beating Bristol Panthers away 3-0 in the final and beating league 1 runners up, Nottingham Lions in the process.
GFSN National Tournament
Every year, the GFSN host a national LGBTQ+ 5-7 aside football tournament (depending on where this is played) that consists of multiple team entries from all GFSN teams. In total, over 300+ people participate.
The weekend starts on Friday with football shirt night, where people wear the shirt of the teams they support, and the group draws for the tournament on Saturday are made. On the Saturday night a venue hosts the award ceremony, where all teams that have won a trophy throughout the season finally receive this (GFSN League 2, League 1, MUL and the tournament winners). This will take place soon in Glasgow, Scotland.
Other leagues
Throughout the year there are other opportunities to play competitively, too. Midlands Unity League (MUL) – a second LGBTQ+ inclusive league formed of teams in the midlands and northern regions, focused on providing opportunities to our developing players. (I only play in this when needed to help the development players out).
Inclusion League – A Friday night league in Liverpool consisting of 60-minute 11 a-side matches. The focus of this league is to bring players from different backgrounds together with a focus of creating a stronger community within Liverpool.
Going beyond the Football Match: Celebrations
Every year the Mersey Marauders march in the Liverpool Pride parade. The team is determined to challenge stereotypes, but to do so in a supportive and encouraging way; as a way to make others feel included and also to educate others on the benefits of diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, background, preference, gender.
Find out more about the Mersey Marauders: https://www.merseymaraudersfc.co.uk
And, if you’re interested in finding a club to play at, find out more through the Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) which also operates in London: https://www.gfsn.co.uk/index.html
Thanks, Zak, for sharing your story! We love having you on our team!
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related News
June is an important date in the calendar of many; it signals the month-long celebration of diversity and inclusivity. As an organisation, we celebrate diversity all-year round. It’s something that makes us stronger as an organisation.
In honour of Pride Month, we took the time to speak with our Marketing Executive, Zak Dixon, who shared his story on
the importance of challenging stereotypes, creating inclusive environments, and his favourite past-time, Football!
Thursday, 1 June, was the start of Pride Month, a month-long celebration and observance of LGBTQ+ history, culture and achievements which was officially initiated in the early 2000s. It is a month that gives us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in society dating back to the first Gay Pride Liberation March in 1970.
“Sadly, football has a deep-rooted history with homophobia. Many LGBTQ+ people have witnessed or experienced abuse first hand, whether in the stands, dressing room or even the school playground. This hostility and lack of representation at an elite level has excluded many LGBTQ+ people from playing football,” Zak shares, a proud member of a football team that provides a supportive and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
“In 2005, the Mersey Marauders were formed to provide an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and allies to play 11-a-side football in the Liver
pool City Region. Recognising that Sunday League football can be an intimidating, and in some cases homophobic/transphobic, environment, they ensure any fixtures they play are with teams who share their values,” he tells us.
Zak’s Story
“I joined the Mersey Marauders a couple of years ago and learned that it’s more than a football team, there’s a social side too – from after game drinks at The Lisbon bar, to mini golf, Eurovision parties, meals out, pride celebrations and much more. Many of our players were new to the region when t
hey joined and have built social connections in the area and within the LGBTQ+ community,” he tells us.
And to top it all off; Zak’s team have just won their league too!
“The league we play in is run by the GFSN (Gay Football Supporters Network). They provide the means and facilities to put LGBTQ+ supporters in touch with each other and to meet for social purposes. This season took the Marauders to away games in Brighton, London, Manchester, and Cardiff. We started off with a 7-2 win away to Manchester and finished the league by beating second place Hotscots with a last kick of the game penalty, which meant we won 8/8 games, promotion, and the league title.”
Zak tells us that he finished with 5 goals and 9 assists, scoring the winning goal in our matches against East End Phoenix and Brighton, which they won 2-1 and 1-0, respectively.
And the successes kept on coming.
GFSN Shield – The GFSN shield
Mersey Marauders also won the GFSN shield, beating Bristol Panthers away 3-0 in the final and beating league 1 runners up, Nottingham Lions in the process.
GFSN National Tournament
Every year, the GFSN host a national LGBTQ+ 5-7 aside football tournament (depending on where this is played) that consists of multiple team entries from all GFSN teams. In total, over 300+ people participate.
The weekend starts on Friday with football shirt night, where people wear the shirt of the teams they support, and the group draws for the tournament on Saturday are made. On the Saturday night a venue hosts the award ceremony, where all teams that have won a trophy throughout the season finally receive this (GFSN League 2, League 1, MUL and the tournament winners). This will take place soon in Glasgow, Scotland.
Other leagues
Throughout the year there are other opportunities to play competitively, too. Midlands Unity League (MUL) – a second LGBTQ+ inclusive league formed of teams in the midlands and northern regions, focused on providing opportunities to our developing players. (I only play in this when needed to help the development players out).
Inclusion League – A Friday night league in Liverpool consisting of 60-minute 11 a-side matches. The focus of this league is to bring players from different backgrounds together with a focus of creating a stronger community within Liverpool.
Going beyond the Football Match: Celebrations
Every year the Mersey Marauders march in the Liverpool Pride parade. The team is determined to challenge stereotypes, but to do so in a supportive and encouraging way; as a way to make others feel included and also to educate others on the benefits of diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, background, preference, gender.
Find out more about the Mersey Marauders: https://www.merseymaraudersfc.co.uk
And, if you’re interested in finding a club to play at, find out more through the Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) which also operates in London: https://www.gfsn.co.uk/index.html
Thanks, Zak, for sharing your story! We love having you on our team!
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related News
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