Fans for Diversity meet-up: Supporters drive campaign on

Last week hundreds of supporter representatives from around the country met in London to talk about the big challenges facing diversity and inclusion in football.

The Fans for Diversity 2025 meet-up on Friday 26th September saw supporters descend on Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to discuss racism, sexism, LGBT+ rights, accessibility issues and much more.

“It was a really positive and productive day,” says Fans for Diversity campaign manager Hannah Kumari.

“There was a celebratory vibe to the day with people having great conversations and making connections – all the while taking on the big issues and recognising that there’s serious work to be done.”

Friday’s meet-up was the first Fans for Diversity conference since 2019 and celebrated the work supporter groups do to promote diversity and tackle discrimination in football.

Nilesh Chauhan, Fans for Diversity campaign manager, said: “It was great to see so many fan groups under one roof. People from all backgrounds and strands of diversity were there to contribute.

“We have to say a big thank you to all those supporters who came. At the end of the day they are volunteers who do all this work on top of their day jobs and normal lives. Without that dedication we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we do.”

Dug outs take on big issues

Supporters were invited to take part in two workshop sessions, the first was “Best combination play between fan and clubs” led by Dave Messenger, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) lead at Watford and Gurpri Bains, EDI lead from Birmingham City.

The pair talked through the work going on at their clubs to promote diversity and inclusion with supporter-led events. “It was great to hear from Dave and Gurpri,” Hannah said. “It’s very topical – the relationships between clubs and fans is critical for our campaign.”

Fans also heard from Alan Bush, fan education manager at Kick it Out, about the work going on to rehabilitate supporters who have shown discriminatory behaviour. Alan has years of experience helping supporters change their behaviour and avoid the criminal justice system.

“It was a heavy session but it was needed,” Nilesh says. “Alan gave us powerful examples of educating fans and turning them around.”

Women’s game meeting

The women’s games Fans for Diversity discussion group also met up for the event – marking the group’s first in-person meet-up. The key aims for the group are driving up matchday attendance, promoting inclusion for women from ethnically diverse backgrounds and making sure that the women’s football is welcoming for everyone.

Anyone who wants to get involved with the group should get in touch.

Fans for Diversity Awards

The day was rounded-off with the Fans for Diversity Awards, handed out to supporter groups across seven categories.

Congratulations to Blues 4 All (Birmingham City), Blue Crescent (Manchester City), Proud Baggies (West Bromwich Albion), Punjabi O’s (Leyton Orient), Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust (Swindon Town), The Pythian Club and the London Bulls (Hereford FC) on their awards – see the full shortlist here.

Hannah said: “Congratulations to all our shortlisted groups and winners. It was really inspiring to see them come together and push the campaign forward.”

Fans For Diversity is a campaign programme run in partnership between the FSA and Kick It Out. Fans For Diversity encourages, funds and supports initiatives by fan groups to promote diversity and inclusion in football, and to challenge all forms of discrimination. For more information, contact Nilesh Chauhan or Hannah Kumari.