Fans for Diversity round-up: Summer 2025

It’s already been a busy summer for our Fans for Diversity campaign helping supporters around the country – promoting inclusion and breaking down barriers to our beautiful game.

Here we recap just some of those activities and if your fan group wants to get involved with the campaign’s work, please get in touch.

Nilesh Chauhan Fans for Diversity campaign manager said: “It’s been another positive summer for us, with a huge amount of work being done.

“It’s always inspiring to speak to our supporter groups about the projects they’re working on. Football’s a powerful tool and fans are always full of fresh ideas about how we can best promote diversity.”

Pride month: Busy June for LGBT+ fan groups

It was another successful pride month for our supporter groups taking place in annual activities and with the explosion of LGBT+ supporter groups in recent years club crests have become a regular sight on pride marches across the country.

This year we were happy to support that work again with direct funding for flags and events around June’s pride month. Fledgling fan group at Wolverhampton Wanderers Pride in the Pack, were one such group – receiving funding for their pride march materials.

Helen Albanese from Pride in the Pack said: “We really appreciate the support Fans for Diversity provided to the group in supplying us with the flag and t-shirts to finally launch our group and branding.

“It was interesting that we were placed behind Proud Baggies in the Birmingham parade and they were also wearing t-shirts supported by Fans for Diversity!

“It showed that no matter what team or colour you support we are one big proud family all supported together through the scheme.

“We look forward to working together more as our group develops and once again would like to express our (rainbow) heartfelt gratitude.”

Big shoutout and immense gratitude to @chauhnz and @Fans4Diversity for providing our group with T-shirts and flag so we can get the message out there at both pride events and going forward. Momentum is building. Watch this space 😁🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #wolvesaywe pic.twitter.com/sh7n61H4xg

— Pride In The Pack 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@PrideInThe1Pack) June 8, 2025

Piero Zizzi from Proud Baggies said: “We’re so grateful that Fans For Diversity have in recent years helped us fund Proud Baggies t-shirts, which are worn and given away by our members at Birmingham Pride every year and worn by our men’s and women’s first team players during Rainbow Laces and Rainbow Ball campaigns.

“The t-shirts give us great visibility as a group and aid us in amplifying our message of inclusivity and diversity – letting supporters, staff and players know they are all welcome at West Bromwich Albion.”

South Asian grassroots football event

Back in June together with the FA the Fans for Diversity campaign hosted an event in Birmingham to promote and celebrate South Asian participation in grassroots football.
The event, which featured campaign manager Nilesh Chauhan as panelist, brought together coaches, parents and players to discuss the issues around getting into grassroots football.

Last Wednesday we hosted an amazing event bringing communities together including new fans who found football through their children ⚽️

Stories were shared, role models inspired, and the power of football to unite & uplift was felt by all.

This is why we do it. ❤️ #Football pic.twitter.com/FdH5onPYYW

— Nilesh Chauhan (@chauhnz) June 23, 2025

“It was a really positive day,” Nilesh said. “It was all about building connections and support for South Asian parents and footballers in the grassroots game.

“Getting more people involved in the grassroots game is good for everyone. It’s a real pathway to getting people into the matchgoing habit.

“Getting more people from the local community, from a range of backgrounds, through the door can only be a good thing for local non-league clubs in the long run.”

As well as Nilesh, coaches from across the FA and industry experts spoke to parents and volunteers about best practice, available support and much more.

Lionesses: Watch parties introduce fans to live football events

At the start of July a new women’s supporter group – the SupportHERS collective – launched in London with a special watch party of England Women’s pre-EURO 2025 warm-up game against Jamaica.

The collective has been established with the help of the Fans for Diversity fund and they launched with a special event at Style of Our Own on Regent Street in London.

 

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A post shared by Em (@emily.evans05)

SupportHERS collective’s Emily Evans said: “We kicked off the launch of SupportHERS collective with an amazing gathering, filled with energy, connection, and some truly inspiring people.

“The room was full of individuals who brought their unique vibes – whether they were passionate about women’s empowerment, sports, or just supporting each other, it was such a special mix.

“We’re so excited to keep this journey going and create even more meaningful moments with this incredible group.”

If you’re interested in finding a watch party for England Women games during the Euros, check out our watch party article here.

Swindon Town: My Town, My Shirt

Swindon Town became the latest to adopt the “My Club, My Shirt” format for their 2025-26 kit launch, celebrating the diversity of their supporters.

Swindon Town’s launch was made in collaboration with the Swindon Town Official Supporters Club, the club’s supporter trust TrustSTFC, and with backing from the Fans for Diversity initiative.

The campaign features a collection of film portraits taken across the town. Each image tells a story — of fans, families, and football — through the lens of Swindon’s vibrant and diverse supporter base.

Hannah Kumari, Fans for Diversity Campaign manager, said: “Fans for Diversity is proud to support My Town My Shirt at Swindon Town. Launching this alongside the 2025-26 kit demonstrates that at Swindon diversity is not simply an add-on but an integral part of a football club committed to welcoming fans of all backgrounds.”

Fans for Diversity 2025 meet-up

Earlier this week we announced that our next national Fans for Diversity meet-up will be taking place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in September – and registration is now open.

Supporter representatives from across the country, and all levels of the game, are invited to come along to discuss the big issues around the Fans for Diversity campaign.

A full programme for the day will be released in the coming weeks – so keep an eye out for that!

• Fans For Diversity is a campaign programme run in partnership between the Football Supporters’ Association and Kick It Out, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation. 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 on funding available from the campaign, contact Nilesh Chauhan or Hannah Kumari.