The English football club Tottenham Hotspur have announced the formation of its first LGBT fan group, in collaboration with the Gay Football Supporters' Network (GFSN), as part of its support for the Football v Homophobia month of action.

The group will become part of the newly-formed Gay Football Supporters' Network Fangroup Coalition (GFSN FC) that aims to provide guidance and advice to other LGBT fans interested in setting up a fans’ group for their club and a support network for fan groups themselves, throughout the UK.

The club's home match against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, on Thursday 27 February, at White Hart Lane will see the official launch of the group, which aims to engage Tottenham Hotspur's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fan base and hold regular consultation with the club.

Leviathen Hendricks, Chair of the group and co-ordinator of GFSN FC, said: “We are delighted to be launching a LGB&T Tottenham Hotspur fan group. All football fans want to feel a real sense of belonging to their team. Unfortunately, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are still very real barriers.

“We believe that LGB&T fan groups will go a long way towards creating a tolerant and safe environment while providing an equality of social experience for all fans to freely enjoy the excitement of being a proud supporter of their club.”

Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director of Tottenham Hotspur, said: “The club prides itself on being fully inclusive, regardless of race, gender or sexuality, and welcomes the formation of its first LGB&T fan group.

“Through our award-winning Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, we are a leader in the field when it comes to promoting equality and acceptance of the various groups and cultures that exist within our diverse and vibrant local community."

From Kick It Out