Ahead of this weekend’s Rainbow Laces campaign the EFL, Premier League, PGMOL, and The FA joined together to produce a unique rainbow photograph to show football standing together in support of LGBT inclusivity.
The photo-shoot included former Bantams duo Billy Clarke and John Egan, now with Charlton Athletic and Brentford respectively.
All 92 League Clubs will be supporting Stonewall’s initiative with various activities including rainbow-coloured captains’ armbands, laces and programme adverts.
In a league first, EFL Clubs will also be proudly displaying rainbow-coloured corner flags at matches this weekend.
In addition, England Women’s televised World Cup qualifier against Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Banks’s Stadium on Friday will see all players wearing the rainbow laces. The Premier League has introduced bespoke rainbow branding to its ball plinths, pitch flags, handshake boards, and timing boards. PGMOL will also be showing their support across the four divisions, with all match officials wearing rainbow laces.
Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign aims to make sport everyone’s game with national teams, leading clubs, professional players, fans and grassroots players from across football showing their support for LGBT people in sport.
Pictured left to right: Billy Clarke (Charlton Athletic), Scott Cuthbert (Luton Town), Shandon Baptiste (Oxford United), John Egan (Brentford), Kevin Friend (PGMOL), Luke Prosser (Colchester United), Jack Whatmough (Portsmouth), Fara Williams (England and Reading Ladies), Gary O’Neil (Bristol City) and Mark Noble (West Ham United).