Bexley Invicta FC, a gay-friendly club based in London and Kent, competed Sunday May 15th for the Aslie Pitter MBE Trophy. The match against neighbouring Bexleyheath Police FC, drew a crowd of hundreds, including the Deputy Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Stephen Hall and Aslie Pitter MBE, who was recognised in January for the foundation of England’s first gay-friendly football club, Stonewall FC, twenty years ago.
Bexley Invicta is one of several newly-formed football clubs around England aimed at promoting greater acceptance and participation of the LGBT community. The club runs an open-door policy whereby anyone who wants to play football has the opportunity to do so, whether they are gay, straight, professional or inexperienced.
The founder of the club and its captain, Brian Silk, expressed how proud he was to see his team compete for the Aslie Pitter MBE Trophy. “Bexley Invicta FC would not exist without the pioneering work of Aslie and Stonewall FC, so the trophy is in recognition of our heritage and of the work that continues, including this match.”
He also spoke about the aims of Bexley Invicta FC. “Since the club started, less than four months ago, we have linked up with a range of local organisations and the local LGBT community to promote gay-friendly football as a way to extend participation in football and to combat homophobia.”
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