WBA Women & Football v Homophobia
West Bromwich Albion Women, in conjunction with Proud Baggies, honoured Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action on Wednesday night at their midweek home game versus Rugby Borough.
The players wore Proud Baggies t-shirts as part of their pre-match warmup to help promote the club’s LGBTQ+ support group and advocate for queer rights at a time when many marginalised people are under increased scrutiny and prejudice in public life. Captain Olivia Rabjohn also wore the FvH rainbow armband in solidarity with the cause, as seen below.
Liv’s match shirt and armband in the dressing room, pre-game.
The team celebrating Riya Mannu’s first ever Albion goal!
Liv helping defender Taylor Reynolds with cramp late in the game.
The Football v Homophobia month of action campaign seeks to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in all its forms in football, with the organisation partnering with clubs and supporters groups like Proud Baggies to promote match attendance and public displays of support against hate.
We are delighted that West Bromwich Albion have been so engaging with us here at Proud Baggies, and we look forward to the dedicated men’s fixture on Tuesday 24th February at home to Charlton Athletic to further promote equality and inclusion and to prove that football is for everyone.
IMPORTANT: If you or somebody you know encounters homophobic abuse or other prejudiced behaviour at a West Brom home game you can text 07929 221878 or submit an online complaint via https://www.wba.co.uk/fans/reporting-abuse.
The women’s team, pictured at the top of the article, posed with the Proud Baggies flag before being put through their drills by manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still and her coaching staff. They went on to battle through abhorrent weather conditions at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr to beat high-flying Rugby Borough 2-1 thanks to goals from centre-back Zoe Creaney and debutant loanee Riya Mannu (pictured below).
The team will travel away to second-place Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday 22nd February, with the side hopeful to upset another promotion-chasing side.
