Isthmian League

Football United game serves up a Thriller!

Hundreds of fans visited Whitehawk FC’s TerraPura Ground yesterday for the first Football United game – one of the most hi-profile mixed gender football matches ever played.

The match at Brighton’s second biggest football club saw Rainbow Rovers, player/managed by transgender writer and broadcaster Sophie Cook win 4-2 against an ex-Premier League All Star team managed by Brighton & Hove Albion legend Guy Butters.

The ex-Prem outfit featured ex-players from Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
The match was supported by Fans For Diversity and Football v Homophobia, and the LGBTQ+ team featured players from Stonewall FC, Soho FC and Charlton Invicta.

Turner prize nominee and curator of the 2018 Brighton Festival David Shrigley designed the Rainbow Rovers kit.

Hawks Head of Commercial Kevin Miller said; “It was a fantastic day, a day to celebrate inclusion on a weekend where the City lit a beacon for diversity across the world, and I’d like to thank Sophie, Guy, and all the players from both teams, as well as all the backroom team here at Whitehawk that made it happen.

He added. “This match was all about celebrating diversity, but also to demonstrate that Whitehawk Football Club celebrates diversity, and so to the many people that came to the ground for the first time, we hope that you enjoyed your day with us, and we look forward to welcoming you to Whitehawk FC during the 2019/20 season!

The Rainbow Rovers Shirt is available to buy on-line via whitehawkfc.com, and the Hawks last pre-season friendly is against Brentwood Town on Saturday, August 10, 1pm kickoff.

Pictures by Andy Schofield

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