A TEAM of Trowbridge footballers have created a sensation within the gay community having become the first mixed team to be allowed to play in a gay football league.
The Trowbridge Tigers are keen to show that straight and gay men can enjoy the sport together – the squad of about 40 is predominantly straight, but now has about five gay players.
Founder Tim Brown, 32, whose gay cousin Nick Pitcher is also a team player, said: “I had been accepted into a gay football team that my friends were a part of and after playing with them it seemed there was quite a bit of interest locally and we formed a new team. We only take on people who are open-minded.”
Mr Pitcher, 55, said: “This team is really breaking down any barriers that were there. Things are very different nowadays to how they used to be and young guys now don’t care whether you are gay or straight. They just want to play football. Attitudes have really changed for the better.”
The team has already scooped the top prize in the 2009 Bristol Pride tournament – beating other gay football teams from around the south west.
Their latest endeavour is playing in the Gay Football Supporters’ Network league who have accepted the mixed team for the first time. The latest match on Sunday saw the team win 3-2 against the London-based Leftfooters, one of the league’s strongest teams. They also thrashed Cardiff Dragons 8-2 a week earlier.
Luke Potter, 17 and straight, said: “I saw that there was football training and I went along. When they first asked me to play they didn’t tell me until I was about to go on to the first game. I didn’t mind at all. It is no different from any other football game. It’s all the same to me so it doesn’t matter.”
Steve Lisowski, 22, from Warminster and straight, said: “I was a bit shocked at first but it doesn’t matter because we all get along and just play the football.”
The team’s success has seen them travel as far as the Gay Games in Cologne earlier this year.
Mr Brown added: “This is our first season in the GFSN league. All the teams are really friendly and there’s a more social aspect about the games. We all go for drinks together and socialise. You get the odd comments about us being the only mixed team but everyone gets on really well and that is a great testament to the times we are in now.”
For more information on Trowbridge Tigers visit www.clubwebsite.co.uk/trowbridgetigers.
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