Network gains full support

By Tom Blackett

UNITED WE STAND: The LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective meet to launch their new group

AN INDUSTRY network group for people who are LGBTQ+ within professional and semi-pro football has been launched – and it has the full backing of Thetford Town player-manager Matt Morton and Leatherhead boss Luke Tuffs.

Called LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective, the group will foster connections and assist both members and prospective members as they navigate their careers in the game, whether they are players, coaches, match officials or employed in other roles.

Among the founding members are Morton, Tuffs, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chloe Morgan, WSL and FIFA referee Stacey Pearson and National League, WSL and EFL match official Ryan Atkin.

Morton said: “Connecting with other LGBTQ+ people in football has helped me understand and empathise with the challenges and lives of others.

“The LGBTQ+ community is like any other in the sense that we are all individuals and unique, and so are our stories.”

Tuffs added: “It’s great being able to be around people that have got similar experiences and have walked the same path, so to speak, and are also able to carve out a career.

“It gives me a lot of confidence and that’s really important to me. It’s also been brilliant for networking.

“I’ve met people that I quite simply wouldn’t have met otherwise. I’ve learned lots off them as well and it’s given me opportunities that I probably otherwise wouldn’t have had.”

A launch event for the collective was held in east London on Thursday.

For more, see lgbtqfootball.com