Bristol City Panthers secure promotion

After a hugely impressive first season back in the GFSN league, the Bristol City Panthers have finished second, securing promotion to the top flight of the UK’s national LGBT football league.

The Panthers finished this historic season in style with an emphatic 6-1 victory over London side, East End Phoenix.

The Panthers promotion rounds off a truly incredible season with the side making history in becoming one of the very first LGBT teams in the UK to form an official affiliation with a professional football club.

Bristol City Panthers Chairman, Rob Parry-Hall, told the Trust, “In our first season back in the GFSN League we weren’t sure how the season would go, but to lose only one fixture in the whole campaign and to achieve promotion has surpassed all of our expectations.

“The victory on the final day was the perfect way to cap off what has been an incredible and historic season for the club.

“The support of Bristol City has been amazing and has helped us to continue to provide a safe space for LGBT+ footballers to participate in the beautiful game.”

Club captain, Stu Toms, commented, “While the results have been great, the main reason I have loved working with this team so much is the spirit.

“Not once have I ever heard a member of this club be anything other than supportive and encouraging to their teammates, and I have no doubt that the fact that our players are able to play in such an atmosphere has been the single greatest factor in our success.”

The team welcomes players of all abilities, sexualities and gender identities. If you are interested in getting involved with the team please click here.