Following the success of last year’s event, Darlington FC is delighted to announce that it will host its second DFC Rainbow Laces Day when we take on Leamington this Saturday.

This particular game has been chosen due to its close proximity to Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Day today, Wednesday 26^th October.

Each year, Rainbow Laces Day celebrates the impact that sport has on LGBTQ+ people, and the impact that LGBTQ+ people have on sport, allowing us to consider how we can all play our part in making sport everyone's game.

This year’s key message is that inclusion has no off season, with the firm aim of creating a world where every LGBTQ+ person can thrive in sport.

Today, there are more LGBTQ+ athletes than ever before competing openly as their true selves.

2022 saw the first openly gay player to come out in professional UK men’s football in over 30 years, The Lionesses became Euro Champions with seven openly queer players in the squad and over 40 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competed at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

But for every success story, there are countless more untold stories of LGBTQ+ people who are forced to abandon their love of sports and fitness.

Because in the gym and in the stands, people bully, belittle and exclude, making them feel out of place. Sport is for all, and everyone should be welcome. There is still so much more we can do.

That’s why LGBTQ+ inclusion has no off season.

As a fan-owned, community-based club, Darlington Football Club is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The role that we play in the lives of many different groups of people across the town and wider region cannot be underestimated and it provides interest, passion and enjoyment for thousands of supporters.

People are the lifeblood of the club, regardless of their individual backgrounds or personal circumstances. We actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all our behaviours, practices and values at Darlington Football Club.

We aim, therefore, to bring people together through football in a way that supports positive change, makes people feel valued and improves the lives and inclusive experience of our fans and wider community.

Last year, on the run up to our first DFC Rainbow Laces Day, DFCSG David Steel wrote about this very subject on YOURCLUB.

On this basis, the club is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and the fantastic work Stonewall does in this area.

This will be celebrated, in collaboration with Leamington, through our very own Rainbow Laces Day on Saturday 29^th October, with a series of initiatives and events to embrace the diversity of our fan base and town at Blackwell Meadows.

Together or apart, online or on the pitch, we need to build on our work in the community to make football everyone’s game.

You can play your part by visiting both https://www.stonewall.org.uk/teampride and https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces to support the national campaign.

We’re looking forward to welcoming our friends from the LGBTQ+ community to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday 29^th October and giving everyone a great day!

Darlington Football Club is for anyone and everyone. For the fans, by the fans.