Newport County AFC prides ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming club for all our members.
As we draw to the end of this year’s international Pride Month 2021, and on the anniversary of the commencement of the Stonewall demonstrations, we are proud to announce that working with our community and fans, we are today launching our own LGBT+ supporters’ group – County with Pride!
After months of engaging, listening, and working closely with our LGBT+ fans, Rainbow Newport and Pride Cymru, we are thrilled that this group will be lead and run by LGBT+ fans for our LGBT+ fans. One Club – One County is what we stand for and this positive move forward for our club.
County supporter Nate Thomas told us "I feel immensely proud to be a supporter of a football club that promotes inclusion and equality for all and that is why I have decided to get involved. We need more people to join us to help represent all aspects of the LGBT+ community”.
Colin Faulkner – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director said “We are continually striving to improve inclusivity at the club; we hope that through creating this group we can create a safe environment for people from the LGBT+ community to attend games and engage with us. Newport County is an ally of people that identify with LGBT+ and we will work with the group and other stakeholders to provide the best environment possible for everyone throughout the club. We would like to thank Carys Ingram from Proud Swans and The Rainbow Wall along with the FAW Trust and Fans for Diversity for their support so far and into the future. “
Adam Smith – Interim Chair of County with Pride Said “This is a massive step forward for the LGBT+ fans at Newport County. This is something we’ve worked together to create for a while now and to see this now created is definitely welcomed by the fans. It is something I am proud to be involved with and lead on for the next 6 to 9 months.
I hope now that LGBT+ fans step forward and join the supporter’s group and take it over, that will be a dream for myself and others who’ve been involved in creating this group.”
We now look forward to seeing our fans support this group and welcome the new addition. We also look forward to the future where we can also introduce more LGBT+ awareness and education for anyone and everyone who engages with Newport County.
If you would like to know more about the group and get involved, please email Colin Faulkner on equality@newport-county.co.uk