Millwall Romans FC: A Success Story of LGBTQ+ Inclusivity and Pride of Bermondsey

Football Clubs traditionally may seem to be unlikely allies to the LGBTQ+ community, but today nothing could be farther from the truth. Particularly in our corner of SE London, with a fairly new CEO, Millwall FC has made a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by adopting the Romans FC. The Romans have been a London FC that caters to LGBTQ+ footballers by offering a safe place for football, friendship, and camaraderie.

Millwall FC of Old and New

Millwall has a long and proud history dating back to 1885 when the club was founded by workers from J.T. Morton’s canning and preserve factory in the Docklands area of London. The team was originally formed to provide entertainment for the workers during their lunch breaks. The team quickly became known for their tough and uncompromising style of play, which earned them the nickname “The Dirty Millers”.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Millwall developed a reputation as one of the most notorious clubs in England, with a large number of hooligan fans associated with the club. In 1985, there was serious rioting at Kenilworth Road during an FA Cup match between Luton Town and Millwall. The following year, another riot broke out at Wembley Stadium during the final of the Football League Trophy between Bristol Rovers and Millwall.

The club has worked hard to move away from its hooligan roots in recent years and has been widely praised for its efforts to improve relations with the local community. In 2012, the club was awarded the Community Club of the Year award by the Football League.

Millwall’s Commitment to Inclusivity

Millwall has shown a commitment to inclusivity in recent years. In 2016, they became the first professional football club in England to appoint an LGBT Liaison Officer. This was followed by the launch of an LGBT fan group called “Pride of the Den” in 2017.

The following year, Millwall made headlines when they became the first football club in England to launch an LGBTQ+ specific scholarship scheme. The scheme offers financial assistance and support to young LGBTQ+ footballers who are looking to play at a professional level.

In 2019, Millwall took things one step further by becoming the first club in England to adopt an LGBTQ+ inclusive football team. The team, known as the Romans FC, was founded in 2016 and is open to all LGBTQ+ individuals, regardless of ability or experience.

The Romans FC has been a huge success since joining forces with Millwall and has won numerous trophies and awards. In 2019, they were crowned “Team of the Year” at the Pride in Football Awards.

Millwall Romans at “The Den” in Bermondsey – Picture Millwallcommunity.org.uk

What’s Next for Millwall and the Romans FC?

The future looks bright for both Millwall and the Romans FC. The club is continuing its commitment to inclusivity and working closely with the local authority to redevelop their training ground into a community hub that will be open to all.

As for the Romans FC, they are going from strength to strength and are currently working towards joining the FA-sanctioned Sunday League. With Millwall behind them, there is no doubt that they will achieve this goal and continue to break down barriers for LGBTQ+ footballers.

How to Join

If you want to join the Romans or just watch, they meet every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. You will find them at St Paul’s Sports Ground, Salter Rd, Rotherhithe, SE16 5DS.

Please follow the Millwall Romans on Twitter and Instagram