off the scene
from April 2007

Yorkshire Terriers FC, Yorkshire's only gay football club, celebrated ten years in style with a fine party at Leeds' Xibit bar on 17th March, attended by almost 200 gay footballers and fans from around England and Ireland. The following day, 24 gay teams braved blizzard conditions at South Leeds Stadium to battle it out for the prized Yorkshire Tournament cup. GFC Bournemouth successfully defended the trophy they won in 2005 in a thrilling 6-3 final victory overcoming the host club. In all 279 goals were scored and only one yellow card issued.

The weekend brought together everything that is important to the club, and indeed gay football in general: great friendship, team spirit, community and of course - beer and singing!

The Terriers are part of a massively increasing interest amongst gay men in sport in general and football in particular. Former Chairman Pete Shoard explained: ‘I think that gay men have always loved football as much as anyone else, it’s just now there is a growing outlet for that in a supportive, friendly environment, where you really can be yourself.’

The Terriers now boast a regular turnout of 20 players to their weekly kickabouts in Leeds and whilst competition for 11-a-side places is fierce, the camaraderie that exists means that everyone is welcome to play at their own ability and to join in the social side.

‘We are looking forward to another successful ten years,’ says Shoard. ‘Over that time we have seen the number of gay football teams multiply five-fold across England and there seems to be no end to this momentum. We are in the fifth season of the national Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) 11-a-side league and for the first time the GFSN League Cup. As one of the longest running clubs, we are proud to be at the heart of this success story.’

The Terriers have much to be proud of. On the field this year they have reached the finals of the cup and are currently second place in an increasingly competitive GFSN League.

Victory in either would be the pinnacle of ten years of achievement, not just to prove their playing credentials but also as proof that they can do this whilst still being one of the friendliest clubs on the GFSN League circuit.

Paul Hunt